Worcester Park Life Oct 18 by jenny stuart

Worcester Park Life

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October Contents History by David Rymill On the Malden Green Estate 6 Ruth Jemmett Writes 9 Want to save for your children? What are the options? 14 Manor Park 16 View from the City 12 Codeword 20 Voice for Wildlife 22 Gardening Beautiful Bulbs 26 Recipe One pan lemon and herb chicken roast 28 Sudokus 30 Clubs 34 Parkin’ some thoughts 40 Kids Play 42 Solutions 44

Published by Malden Media Limited 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.

Also publishing Malden’s Village Voice

Welcome to Your Worcester Park Life Well, it’s been a good run, hasn’t it. So lucky to have had amazing weather for months and months but, alas, last night the socks and winter boots (and raincoat) were excavated and the FitFlops retired for the evening out celebrating a lovely friend’s special birthday. And all too soon we are already talking about half term, the clocks going back and planning for bonfire night. A sad farewell to those early morning lovely long dog walks in shorts and t shirts and blazing sunshine... well my next job is to find a comfortable pair of waterproof boots that will see us through this winter and beyond. My last pair (now leaking) was a little on the tight side and, combined with thick and warm welly inserts proved rather challenging to remove - not what you need whilst struggling with a still energetic, excitable and very muddy dog. The good news is that Matty now trots straight into the shower and I question why we put ourselves through the pain and mess of washing him in the bath. What were we thinking!

Please get in touch if your school, club or organisation is planning any events in the lead up to Christmas that we can help to promote - at no cost to you. Or if you have a local business and want to get the word out locally then check out our rates online www.maldenmedia.co.uk, or call me for a chat to see what would work best for you. And as a reader, please support the businesses that advertise, and let them know where you got their number from. In order to deliver the magazine to most of the KT4 postcode, we split the distribution over a two month period. So if you have had this edition delivered you probably won’t get the November one. There are a limited number of copies available from Waitrose, Worcester Park Library, St Mary’s and Christ Church with St Philip but don’t forget that it is also published online - you can get the link from our website. Until next time, best wishes,

Jenny Jenny Stuart, Editor & publisher P.S. Please remember to mention the Worcester Park Life when replying to adverts, and get in touch by 20th October f you’d like your business, Club or event to feature in the November edition, and 17th November for December.

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5 24/09/2018 10:38

Worcester by David Rymill

On the Malden Green Estate In the August edition I featured the wartime experiences of the late Pam Bonser. Pam and her parents moved to Worcester Park from Tooting Bec, becoming the first residents of 408 Malden Road, part of the Malden Green Estate, in 1932 when Pam was ten. This estate, consisting of Malden Green Avenue, Broadmead Avenue and Mayfair Avenue, and the adjacent houses in Malden Road, was developed in 1931-35, mainly on some of the fields of Malden Green Farm, by Henry Boot and Sons Ltd. The line drawings reproduced here come from a Boots’ brochure which Pam gave to me some years ago. Boots’ advertised two styles of house, both based on the ‘universal’ semi-detached plan. The larger plan offered half-timbered sweeping gables, and leaded drawing-room windows turning into the porch, where they were mirrored by the window of a small coat cupboard. A garage was included in the price of £1,175, and behind the garage was a large larder, coalshed and cloakroom. The alternative design, including rounded bay windows, was priced at £995. Boots’ brochure indicated that the total cost of a mortgage and rates, at 20 years’ purchase, would be £1 16s 9d to £2 4s 9d weekly, and helpfully noted the price of a monthly season ticket to Waterloo as £1 7s 6d. Pam recalled that the houses were very well built, with a convenient dresser in the kitchen, although the location of the coal shed just outside the kitchen proved inconvenient: “when coal was being delivered, Mother used to hang curtains up because the dust flew into the kitchen.” They used to have coal fires downstairs, with slow-burning coke used in the dining-room after the war. Upstairs, a fire would only be lit if someone was ill; otherwise two-bar fires were used. She also remembered the builders offering the opportunity to have a fourth bedroom included, above the garage, at the time of building, perhaps for about £75. Local shopkeepers were keen to attract the custom of new residents. Pam recounted that, on the day that her parents moved into their new home, “the removal van was outside the house, and someone

was cycling past, and he got off his bicycle and said ‘Is there anything you would like?’ It was Wednesday, and Wednesday was always half-day, and Mother said ‘Oh yes, but – ’ and he said ‘I’m the manager, I’ve got the keys, I’ll go back and get what you want’.” Thus began many years of shopping at the United Kingdom Tea Company’s grocery shop at 60 Malden Road, New Malden, giving in an order which would be delivered the next day. David Betts, who grew up in Malden Green Avenue, recalled that loans to buy a house of this size were likely only to be offered “if you were in certain professions, and so there was a sort of homogeneity about Malden Green Avenue: it was bank people, insurance people, that sort of thing.” Further into the estate, where houses are thought to have cost about £625 - £750, there was more variety: John and Robin Glasscock recall that the early homeowners in Broadmead Avenue, in the 1930s-40s, included three police officers (one in Special

Worcester Park, Old Malden and North Cheam: History at our Feet Published in 2012 and available at £10 (plus £2 towards postage if required) from the Rymill family. Ring 020 8330 6563 for more details. This 300-page book tells the story of Worcester Park from the Iron Age to the present day, and includes memories of local life from 1908 onwards, and over 150 maps, photographs and drawings - mostly never published before.

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- Decking and Lawns - Hedge Trimming - Landscaping

- Strimming and Weeding - Garden clearance - Path and Patio Washing

Branch), a solicitor’s clerk, garage proprietor, director of a steel company, and employees of the National Physical Laboratory and Royal Copenhagen’s London showroom. Many of these commuted by train, but “Mr [Alfred] Brown who ran the flower shop on Victoria Station went up every day in a car.”

‘PUT YOUR GARDEN MAINTENANCE INTel: THE020 8330 7 Perhaps as a result of the fact that John Dean, info@cypressgardenservices.co.uk HANDS OF SOMEONE WHO REALLY CARES’ Chairman of Fulham Football Club, lived at 43 The www.cypressgardenservices.co.uk Mobile: 07958 Avenue, and also because of the sporting interests of - One off Tidy A E Reeder, founder of the estate agents A E Reeder - Garden Maintenance and Son in Station Approach, the Reeders were - Decking and Lawns engaged by the club to find houses in the area for - Hedge Trimming their new players, in the 1950s-60s; these included Bobby Robson, who lived at 24 Mayfair Avenue in the - Landscaping 1960s (I am grateful to Ron Todd for this information). - Tree surgery Sir Bobby (as he became in 2002) had two spells as - Stump Grinding a Fulham player, in the 1950s and 1960s, and it was - Strimming & Weeding during the latter that he lived in Mayfair Avenue. He - Garden clearance would go on to become manager of Fulham in 1968, - Path & Patio Washing and of Ipswich Town in 1969-82, before managing the E ANCE IN TH N E T N I A M England team from 1982 to 1990. GARDEN RES' REALLY CA 'PUT YOUR David Rymill David.Rymill1993@alumni.aber.ac.uk (020) 8330 6563

HO SOMEONE W HANDS OF - Tree surgery g - One off Tidy - Stump Grindin nance Weeding - Garden Mainte - Strimming and ns ce ran - Decking and Law clea den - Gar g min Trim Washing - Hedge - Path and Patio - Landscaping

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Ruth Jemmett Writes The Month Of Wynmonath By Ruth Jemmett The Anglo-Saxon name for October is Wynmonath - meaning ‘wine month’. At this time of the year the harvests have been gathered, and the grapes crushed. Our gardens are hanging on to the last bits of colour, as Autumn envelops us. The fish in my pond, who normally rush to the surface to be fed, now dawdle a bit, as the weather cools. We fish fans have to withdraw food as the days get cooler, as our piscatorial friends cannot digest things too well as temperatures dip. I am starting to take plants into the greenhouse now, before frosty nights damage them. Geraniums plants look very bushy, and are ready for getting cuttings from. The heat wave is but a distant memory as we toy with the thermostats on our central heating systems. No wonder the British are a hardy race. Our bodies are subject to great extremes in temperature on a regular basis! As the season changes the weather can get windier. Will we ever forget the hurricane of 15th October 1987? Giant oak trees were torn out of the ground, and some homes were wrecked. I was once told by a wise old lady that people are like trees. The large oaks that look strong can snap, whilst the the sinuous weak-looking willow, with its long roots gripping the soil, can weather the harshest storm. We all go through stresses in our lives, and sometimes discover that seemingly strong people cannot cope, whilst unassuming folk can have hidden resources. Occasionally, at the end of the month, we can experience unexpectedly warm weather. It is generally called an Indian Summer, a name that originated in the USA, as this phenomenon was often experienced in regions inhabited by the native Americans. The 4th of the month will be National Poetry Day. Some people blank out at the thought of poetry, remembering their school days, when they were forced to mindlessly recite couplets to please teachers. I was fortunate in having wonderful English teachers, who gave me a great appreciation of the written word - and in particular, poetry. I

can still rattle off many verses of poems I learnt over sixty years ago, and have gained great pleasure from writing my own verse. A teacher who loves their subject can inspire young minds. It is such a shame that many of them are leaving the profession in droves, because they have to juggle difficult working hours with unruly children, whose parents often aren’t supportive. One of my best friends has been a teacher for many years, and I constantly admire her dedication as she gives up evenings doing marking, supervising after-school activities or taking children on trips abroad.

This is, of course, Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Having lived with Breast cancer and its secondaries for nearly five years, I would encourage both women AND men to be breast aware, as early diagnosis can save lives. Yes - it is scary having things checked out, but most abnormalities have innocent explanations. For your own sake, and the effect cancer can have on a whole family - be brave - get checked! Whilst on the subject of health, how about taking part in ‘Stoptober’, when you smokers out there can give your lungs a rest for a few weeks - and feel better for it! Also, you drinkers can, perhaps, take part in ‘Go Sober For October’, which is the brainchild of MacMillan Cancer Support! On the 10th of October it will be World Mental Health Day. Most people will have either experienced mental health problems in their own lives, or in those of people close to them. Unfortunately, ignorance on the subject can lead to prejudice and discrimination. The widespread use of cannabis in all societies can also trigger schizophrenia in vulnerable individuals. I know a middle-aged man who thought it would be trendy to smoke cannabis when he was young. His whole life has been ruined by ’weed’, as his moods are either very high or very low.. His addiction has ruined the prospect of him ever having a good job. What a waste. Resources for mental health have always trailed behind those for physical ailments. Although one wouldn’t want to go back to the days of Victorian-type asylums, we definitely need places of safety for a lot of individuals we see on our streets. When the old ’mental hospitals’ were largely phased out, we were told there would be care in the community. The sad truth is that

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enjoying large bars of chocolate. Well, we must get in training for Christmas. That’s my excuse anyway! The 24th October will not only be my birthday, but it also marks the date that the United Nations came into existence in 1945. The preamble to its charter was:

On 12th of the month we remember the birth of the composer Ralph Vaughan Williams. He used to reside in Leith Hill House in Surrey, and was a friend of Charles Darwin. If you have an interest in music (or even if you don’t!) try and spend some time there. The house is in a fantastic settting, and filled with music. It is really uplifting to soak up the atmosphere in the former home of the man who wrote ’Lark Ascending’, a musical piece that never leaves the top ten of classical music!

“We the people of the United Nations, determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which, twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind, and to re-affirm faith in fundamental human rights . And to ensure by the acceptance of principles and the institution of methods, that armed force shall not be used, save in the common interest, and to employ international machinery for the promotion of the economic and social advancement of all peoples, have resolved to combine our efforts to accomplish these aims”. When one looks around the world with all its present warlike behaviour, you can’t help wondering if the meaning of the charter has been blurred by the passing of time ……

The 13th of October will mark National Chocolate Week. I think we owe it to ourselves to indulge in

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and watch out for Trick or Treat on Halloween, on 31st! In the last few days the Christmas catalogues have been landing on my door-mat. I am trying to put off the evil moment when I have to write The Lists â&#x20AC;Ś.. As one gets older, and people pass away, The Lists get a little shorter, and one becomes more and more away that there are hardly any older relations to look up to! We all imagine that we will never get older, and then one day you see your motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s face gazing back at you from the mirror! As the leaves come fluttering down, let me leave you with a favourite poem of mine, The Autumn Robin by John Clare: Sweet litle bird in russet coat The livery of the closing year I love thy lonely plaintive note And tiny whispering song to hear While on the stile or garden seat I sit to watch the falling leaves Thy songs thy little joys repeat My loneliness relieves.

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There is no easy way to say this, the market is tough. At this time of year we would normally expect an autumn bounce. There is activity, but below normal levels for the season. People who are looking are both committed and serious, and we are receiving offers, and they are negotiating hard. The result is that properties that are overpriced, even marginally, are being dismissed out of hand.

For some years many entry level properties have been snapped up by investment buyers in a buy-to-let surge. Recent tax and regulation changes have resulted in fewer landlords either entering the market or expanding their portfolios. Coupled with this, and for several reasons, some landlords are currently reducing their portfolios.

It doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t help that Mark Carney, Governor of the Bank of England, has predicted an average 33% drop in house prices across the UK if there is no Brexit deal. However, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s put that in perspective a little. Firstly it seems nobody knows for certain where Brexit is headed. Secondly historically the London area has been very resilient. Even in the last recession, which saw Northern Ireland prices fall to 60% of their peak, the south-east market was largely unaffected and simply stagnated. Prices are neither rising nor falling.

Buy-to-let really took off in the mid to late 1990â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and those more seasoned investors are now of an age to start planning for retirement. Some chose, or need, to consolidate, realising gains on some properties to reduce borrowing on others. More recent investors are finding the finances of being a landlord less attractive, or even viable, and are nationally starting to exit the sector. Though we are seeing few such sales locally we are aware this may escalate as tax changes bite harder.

Confusion at No 10 never helps the housing market and confidence amongst first time buyers, together with stricter mortgage The main reason the local market remained criteria, have reduced the number of people robust ten years ago will almost certainly be ready, or able, to buy their first home. the same reason that values continue to hold now. Approximately a quarter of the UK CLOSING DOORS population live in the south-east, a Two early casualties of the slower market population that is increasing, and new home are a couple of the online/hybrid agencies. building remains at a level substantially Countrywide have ceased to offer their below that needed to ensure everybody has option, and Connells have closed the door a roof over their head. We believe it is on hatched.co.uk. Both companies unlikely house prices in the area will fall concluded that the scaled back service and significantly, if at all! We are, however, likely support offered in their online packages to be entering a period where selling your failed to provide the right level of help to home is going to be more challenging and their customers. prices will level off. In a more buoyant market the concept of The main problem we have currently is paying up front can appear attractive. In a building complete chains so that offers can tougher market local knowledge of who is crystallise. Successfully pulling together a looking for particular types of property is chain, and facilitating all within it to move, vital to not only sell a property but also build requires buyers at the bottom rungs of the a sustainable chain around it and keep the property ladder. Political uncertainty and a chain together to completion. With years of variety of new and amended legislation are such experience locally we are very well affecting that landscape. placed to do just that!

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Finance Want to save for your children? What are the options? Putting money aside for your children is a great way to offer them a little security as they get older. You do not need to save a huge amount – even a few pounds each week adds up to a nice little nest egg over time. You can teach younger children good money management skills by offering a little more pocket money as long as they save the extra amount. If they are old enough, get them involved in choosing a savings account and physically putting the money into it each month. Ad hoc saving You do not need to save regularly to make a difference, however – you could put some money away as and when it is available if that suits you better, and move it around if a better interest rate comes up. The money is likely to come in very handy when it is time to pay for driving lessons, or a first holiday abroad with their friends. It is helpful to be aware of the different types of accounts and investments available, so what are some of the options when it comes to saving for your children? Piggy bank Saving into a piggy bank is so simple, and a great idea for younger children. You might be surprised how much can be saved this way, and not only that, it teaches young children more than one important life lesson. Learning to take responsibility for putting money away safely, the value of money, and the fact that you have to save for the things you want from life are all important factors. • It is a straightforward way to save. •You can teach a young child the value of each coin. Junior ISA There are two types of ISA for children – a Cash Junior ISA, and a Stocks and Shares Junior ISA. They are available if your child is under-18 and living in the UK, and you can open one or both types of account. The money in a Junior ISA belongs to your child and is locked away until their 18th birthday, when the account upgrades to an adult ISA. This is a key feature of this type of saving, as unlike other savings accounts aimed at children, you will not have access to the money once it has been deposited. Your child is able to manage their own account from the age of 16, however. Junior ISAs are protected by the Financial Services

Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to a value of £85,000 per institution, as long as the account is held with a UKregulated provider. • This tax year (2018/19) the savings limit is £4,260 for each account. • There is no tax to pay on the interest or investment returns in a Junior ISA. Friendly Society tax-exempt plan A child tax-exempt savings plan offers a guaranteed minimum tax-free lump sum at the end of the term from a share-based investment fund. This type of account is designed for saving over a relatively long period of time – usually 10-25 years. The proceeds could be used for significant future outlays such as university fees, or perhaps the deposit on a house, but your child needs to be over the age of 16 to receive the cash balance. • You can currently save £270 a year if you make ad hoc deposits, or £25 a month if it is on a regular basis. • Charges vary between Friendly Societies so it is worth shopping around. NS&I Premium Bonds Premium Bonds are an easy and very popular way to save money for a child. Instead of earning interest, each £1 bond you purchase has its own number that is entered into a prize draw each month and could win between £25 and £1 million. This is an engaging way to make saving interesting to children, and you can help them make reinvestment/ spending decisions if they win money in the draw. All winnings are tax-free, and to a young child even the smallest prize of £25 is a substantial amount. • You need to buy a minimum of £100 in Premium Bonds, with the maximum amount that can be held being £50,000. • Prizes totalling more than £2million are paid out each month. Child pension You can set up a pension fund for your child and transfer it to them when they reach the age of 18. Starting a child pension offers a little stability when they become an adult, and gives them a valuable head start in their retirement savings. • The government tops up each contribution you make into a pension by 25% (up to a total of £2,880 in 2018/19), which considerably increases its overall value over time. • You can still contribute more than £2,880, but it will not attract the government’s top-up. However you decide to put money aside for your child, your attitude to risk may guide the decision as to whether to save or invest. You will also need to consider any fees and charges if you decide that investing is the preferable option.

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The Mead Infant School has a small number of places available in our afternoon Nursery. Sessions are from 12.15-3.15pm Monday to Friday. We offer high quality teacher led sessions, which give your child an excellent introduction to school life. Our Nursery sessions are free and our school is rated as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Outstandingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; by Ofsted. On-site wraparound care is available for children attending The Mead Nursery from 7.30am until 6.00pm. This provision is provided by Chill Out of School. For further details and prices, please email chilloutofschool@gmail.com. For more information or to arrange a visit please call the school office on 020 8393 0966. Website: www.mead.surrey.sch.uk Email: office@mead.surrey.sch.uk

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Manor Park We all know that parks provide local communities with somewhere green, somewhere to play, to experience sport, to walk, run, exercise, and socialise. They can become a focal point for a local community. They also play their part in the health of local environment with the potential to enhance bio-diversity. Community Action With local councils experiencing reduced budgets the quality of our parks is suffering. Thankfully communities are looking inward for solutions. They are increasingly organising to look after themselves….and their green spaces. Friends of Manor Park Friends of Manor Park was set up in the summer of 2017, by a group of local residents to protect and improve Manor Park for the whole community. The group started with small steps…. but our

ambition is to make the park something the local community can be proud of. Over the past year we’ve run a number of well attended volunteer mornings. Our first event last October was attended by over 60 people from all ages and walks of life, and we ran a Nature Day in April with our local scout group which had well over 100 people exploring the wildlife of Manor Park. Our work has seen a seasonal pond brought back to life, vast amounts of litter removed from the under-growth, a wooded copse restored

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and planted with 2,000 bluebell bulbs, brambles kept under control, new paths put into 2 of the wooded areas, we’re engaged in a process to establish areas of wild-flower meadow, and we get involved, behind the scenes, in a lot of trouble-shooting type activity. A Park For The Local Community We aim to ensure that the interests of the broader local community are put first where decisions about the future of the park are concerned. We want to ensure that our park can fulfil its potential as a place to: • Play • Socialise • Exercise • Take part in sport • Walk • Enjoy nature We are currently fundraising for a project to create an exciting 5-year plan for Manor Park………. ‘Revivify Manor Park! Phase 1’. This is

a crowdfunding scheme to enable us to engage the services of landscape architects to design plans for an improved park. This would involve topographical surveys, consultations, discussion groups and workshops with the local community to find what we want (and don’t want) for the long-term vision of the park. Rest assured the pitches would not be affected, nor the natural beauty and countryside feel of the park. It’s more about making what we have, even better. The playground would be revamped and probably be phase 2 of the plan if the community want it. We want to make Manor Park a place to be proud of, one which families and the local community use more often. Please check out our funding page www.spacehive.com/revivify-manor-parkphase1 and pledge whatever you can. If you would like to know more about the Friends of Manor Park group or our funding project, contact team@ourmanorpark.org.uk our website is our manorpark.org.uk

PROPERTY ADDRESS

The Old Mill, Old Malden Lane, Worcester Park, KT4 7QS.

INFORMATION

The property is available TO LET or FOR SALE, terms on application. The property totals 1.7 acres and includes 6,703 sq ft of office and warehouse accommodation.

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View from the City How much money do I need to retire?

the same way that encouraging five-a-day for fruit and vegetables has helped improve our diets.

Justin Urquhart Stewart, Co-founder of Seven Investment Management

To give you an example of how this would all work in practice, let’s take the average UK salary as the number I’ve decided that I want. That’s currently around £27,500 a year. Now, if you’re due a full state pension (which not everyone is), this means you will receive about £8,500 a year towards it. I then multiply the remaining £19,000 a year needed by the 25 to give me a total of £475,000. So it’s this sum that I would have needed to have set aside to keep me in retirement. Unfortunately, it’s quite a significant number, which I feel is really at the heart of the problem as to why a lot of us don’t calculate our own total.

“I’ve got all the money I’ll ever need, if I die by four o’clock”, was a statement by the American comedian, Henry Youngman. And while I’m confident that everybody reading this will have more than enough to last them significantly beyond today, it does beg the question of how much is enough? It’s a question that can, however, be quite difficult to answer because you need to have made a number of decisions to decide on a figure. That number is unique to you as it’s entirely up to you how you will live during your retirement. So, if you’re planning to lead a rather dull existence you would, of course, need less money than if you’re planning to trip the light fantastic in style several times a week. You’ll also need to factor in that you will no longer be going to work. While you may save on the travel costs and tedious sandwich lunches, you may instead have to spend something to supplement some of the social life you enjoy as a result of working. And if there’s no work to get in the way, you’ll now have the chance to take up that new hobby that you’ve always wanted to. This could leave you spending an amount that’s more akin to that spent on a weekend, every day of the week. If this is beginning to sound rather a lot, you can seek some reassurance on that score as there is a high likelihood that you will have paid off your mortgage. Any costs connected to your children should have also fallen by the wayside. Have you reached a figure yet? If you’re still scratching your head, a reasonable starting point is a number that is around two thirds of your current annual household income. With that figure, you can now calculate the total amount you need to save. This can be done using the useful rule of thumb of the ‘25x pension rule’. Yes, this is never going to give you a precise amount, but it’s a start in much

We know it’s going to be a sizeable sum as it has to last a decent number of years and we all want an enjoyable retirement. But it’s tough setting aside money for an undetermined future that will be enjoyed at some point in time that has yet to be defined. All I can caution is that calculating it sooner rather than later makes sense. That’s because the earlier you calculate it, the more years you will have to set money aside. You will also have more time to take advantage of the employer contributions and government tax relief that will help. And the sooner you start, the better you will benefit the most from the power of compounding. There is a reason that Einstein called compounding the eighth wonder of the world. So, please, do set aside some time this month to think through your number. Yes, it could cause you some concerns given its scale, but without a number what can you work towards? Failing to plan would almost certainly result in you planning to fail. Seven Investment Management LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Jersey Financial Services Commission. Member of the London Stock Exchange. Registered office: 55 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 3AS. Registered in England and Wales No. OC378740.

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

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Your Private GP Your Private GP Service at New Victoria Hospital is available for you and your family. Whether you’re looking for expert advice and treatment or a second opinion, our highly experienced GPs will provide a fast, friendly and professional service. Should you require further tests, diagnosis or treatment, you can be referred directly to a hospital Consultant without delay. • Affordable fees • All appointment types including Health Screens and Vaccinations • Testing with fast results • Hospital pharmacy • Free parking

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Voice for Wildlife by Carol Williams A few days after I submit this article for printing in the October issue of the magazine, a big March for Wildlife will take place in London. Organised and publicised by Chris Packham of BBC Springwatch fame, the date - Saturday 22nd September. Perhaps some of you attended it? Sadly, I could not,, it having clashed with us being away on holiday in Cornwall at the time, but I was very much there in spirit, the conservation and preservation of wildlife being very close to my heart. It is my hope that a similar event may be repeated next year, and for as long as it is needed, until humanity wakes up properly to the need to stop destroying our wild heritage on this planet - we have already lost way too much. I read many of the novels of Gerald Durrell when I was young, and I discovered, at the back of one of them, that his love for, and fascination with animals, which began when he lived on the island of Corfu as a child, had resulted in his founding a wildlife preservation trust based in Jersey. He had built a special kind of zoo there in the grounds of Les Augres manor which had been purchased through money raised on appeal. In its early days Jersey Zoo was unique in having its sole focus on the captive breeding of highly endangered animal species for eventual release into the wild when habitat suitable for them had been restored/created. To my knowledge, Jersey Zoo is one of the very, very few zoos, perhaps the only one, that has ever actually released any captive bred animals back into the wild to restock an ecosystem. Many zoos make the grandiose claim that they are about conservation, but I remain sceptical. My animal rights ‘hat’ does not like zoos which, in the main, appear to me to be prisons for animals, most of whom do not have large enough enclosures, do not have the scope to experience the full, natural behaviours of their species, are not endangered in the wild and are simply there to make money for the owners of the zoo. I dispute that most zoos actually do much to educate the public about animals in the wild or spark any interest in creating space for wildlife in people’s own back gardens or inspire many to support conservation work with regular donations, and if I am right in this, most zoos across the world are not beneficial to anyone but the visitors who have come to enjoy a day out looking at animals in enclosures and the people who run them for profit. Do human beings have the moral right to keep other beings in small, confined areas, for any reason at all? I leave that one with you to ponder.

Back to Durrell, which actually IS about conservation in its full sense, and includes involvement with local populations to educate them on the importance of saving a particular habitat for the benefit of many species, improving and restoring degraded habitat and monitoring release sites before and after restocking the ecosystem with captive bred individuals. I joined the Trust as a life member a long time ago, it’s now called Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust. They probably were the first serious proponents of rewilding, long before it had a label or became a conservation buzz word - their latest magazine features their newest project which they have called ‘Rewild our World’. Dr Lesley Dickie, CEO, writes this: “Rewilding is just such an exciting word, conjuring up images of a nature that is bountiful, beautiful, raw and magnificent. A nature where wildlife is resilient and functioning”. Let us pause here for a moment and reflect that, Nature would have been like this, we would have inherited just this, had we been a species that had, throughout its history, shown respect for Nature, understood its powerful importance, revered it enough to have preserved it, loved it enough to have not wantonly destroyed so much of it for greed of money. Had we done so, we would not now be in the position we are in, with many species gone forever, the earth scarred with deserts and raw, degraded areas where the vibrant life that was once there is long gone and only those few species hardy enough to live amongst our concrete and rubbish, thriving. Durrell has outlined a policy that aims to deliver “a wilder, healthier, more colourful world”. Back to the future, sort of thing - a future that more resembles the past, only with - sadly - too many ‘ gaps in the fabric’. Extinct is gone forever, no matter what we do now. Rewilding is an attempt to halt our descent into complete ecosystem collapse, an effort to ‘ kickstart’ renewed abundance. “Wilder, “ writes Dr Dickie, “ is self- explanatory. We want more species thriving in the wild and not merely surviving or just hanging on at the edges. That’s where ‘healthy’ comes in - a world where species are in good numbers and playing their role in functioning ecosystems. ‘Colourful’? Well, we truly believe that each time we lose a species, the world loses a little of its colour.” So, what are Durrell going to do? They have earmarked several sites for rewilding: Madagascar Wetlands and Dry Forests, St Lucia Dry Forest, Jersey Coastlands, Britain Temperate Forest, Sumatra Rainforest, Galapagos Floreana Island, Brazil Atlantic Rainforest, Mauritius Island Ecosystems and India Terai Grasslands.

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Each of these sites will develop specific approaches to the recovery of highly threatened species and the restoration of their broader ecosystems. All were chosen for their conservation need, where experiences there may be applied in the future to other species and ecosystems. On St Lucia, the project will focus on establishing a ‘mainland island’ management area and breeding centre, where native wildlife and ecological processes can be restored. This will mean that local people and tourists will be able to experience a truly rich Caribbean dry forest. The problems highlighted at present are: invasive non - native species, urban development and insensitive tourism. The Sumatran rainforest project will work closely with the Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme ( SOCP) which was set up by an ex keeper from Jersey Zoo. The Trust will design and build ‘The Haven’ - a conservation and education centre near the city of Medan. It will become a hub for training and the rehabilitation and captive management of highly threatened species. The main problems are: illegal wildlife trade and habitat loss due to commercial agriculture - mainly, palm oil. We can help out here by trying much harder to avoid buying products with palm oil in them - not easy, since the stuff seems to find its way into absolutely anything! For the record, Sunpat Peanut Butter contains none, and there is a

brand called Meridian which is an ethical company, dedicated to making sure all its ingredients are from reliable and environmentally responsible sources - they do not use palm oil in any of their products. Please start reading ingredients labels. Anyone who has the inclination might also write to companies still using palm oil in some of their products, asking them to replace it with something less environmentally damaging. The Brazil Atlantic forest project will support the rebuilding of populations of black lion tamarins and other primates in the last remnants of this forest, with a goal of establishing tree corridors to connect isolated forest fragments, using strategies such as providing artificial nesting sites to help animals make full use of the newly planted linkways. I am so grateful for the hard work of organisations like Durrell - people who care deeply about wildlife and who labour tirelessly to try to stem the tide of human damage, restoring what they can, educating people on the issues and trying to inspire a love of wildlife that will - hopefully - safeguard its future. They need financial support to carry out their important work, and those of us who love the wild and do understand its importance, both for its own sake and for the benefits it brings to our world, can be involved through signing up and donating to the projects. It is better not to destroy something in the first place, but the next best thing is to restore and recreate as much as possible of what was lost, and protect and enjoy what is left. Nature is very resilient when given space and time to recover. If only we could just leave the wild things alone and stop destroying the homes of other species in the first place! We do it regularly on a small scale in our own back yards, each time we cut down a tree to make room for a shed or put up a fence instead of a hedge, and we do it globally whenever we are not mindful when we shop - supporting, with our purchases, industries that cause environmental damage. Can we stop with this, please? If you would like to help Durrell’s work, you can adopt an animal - go to their website, www.durrell. org/adopt or send a donation through their website or by post to Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Trinity, Jersey, JE1 1AE Let us, in many small ways, here where we are, create and care for “ a nature that is bountiful, beautiful, raw and magnificent. A nature where wildlife is resilient and functioning”.

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

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

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Gardening Beautiful Bulbs Pippa Greenwood Why not make your house all the more special this winter with some colourful bowls of bulbs, perhaps with some gorgeous perfume too? You can buy ready-planted bowls of bulbs later in the year, but act now for a stunning display at a fraction of the price. The best bulbs are those described as ‘prepared’, which means they will flower well, reliably and uniformly indoors. Although often pricier they are still great value, as results with standard bulbs may be unpredictable. I like to use prepared hyacinths, but I have bowls of nonprepared bulbs too. Visit your local garden centre now and you should see a good array of bulbs for sale, plus all the other things you need. Special bulb bowls are a good buy, and are available in many colours. They’re like huge soup bowls, but in plastic or china, and have no drainage holes. You can use normal flower pots, but put a fully waterproof container or saucer beneath each pot to protect your furniture.

3-5 weeks. Put them in a cool spot with plenty of natural daylight, where the shoots will continue to grow and develop a healthy green colour; they will now need a little more water. Put your bulb bowl in a warmer room once the flower buds start to colour up. For a really smart look, cover the compost with some moss or tie a seasonal ribbon around the bowl. Visit Pippa’s website www.pippagreenwood.com and you’ll find some great gardening items: stylish cloches, tunnels, the fantastic SpeedHoe, plant supports, raised bed kits, EasyTunnels, gardening tools, Grower Frames, signed books and more! Or why not book Pippa for a gardening talk at your gardening club?

Bulb fibre or special compost formulated for indoor bulb planting performs better in containers without drainage, but is more expensive, and you can use standard multipurpose compost if you wish. Hyacinths for forcing are available in many shades, but use a single colour in any one container as there is often some variation in flowering times between the colours, and ideally you want all the flowers out simultaneously. Specially prepared crocus, paperwhite narcissus and some other daffodil types are also available. You can create a low-cost bowl with a large bag of inexpensive dwarf narcissus, such as ‘Tete-a-Tete’. Crocuses also work well. Fill your bowl about one third full of compost for larger bulbs to one half full for smaller bulbs. Firm the compost gently and position the bulbs pointed end uppermost. They can be quite closely packed, but not so they touch each other or the sides of the bowl. Nestle the bulbs gently into the compost and then top up with compost so that just the noses are poking out. Water the compost lightly until moist but not waterlogged. Cover the bowls loosely with a black bin liner and put them in a cool, dark place so that the bulbs can form good root systems. Check the bowls every week or so and apply a little more water if necessary. Bring the bowls out into the daylight once the shoots are about 2-3cm tall, which usually takes

SJL PAVING

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Recipe One pan lemon and herb chicken roast A quick and easy roast for midweek or Sunday lunch with hardly any washing up! Serves 4 Ready in 1 hour 30 minutes 50g butter, softened, 2 garlic cloves, crushed 3 tbsp fresh chopped mixed herbs (see Tip) 2 lemons, Salt and freshly ground black pepper 8 chicken thigh portions 500g baby potatoes, halved, 2 tbsp virgin olive oil 4 sprigs fresh rosemary, broken into small sprigs 1 Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas mark 6. Place the butter in a bowl and beat in the garlic, mixed herbs and the zest and 1 tbsp juice from one of the lemons. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. 2 Ease the skin away from the chicken thigh portions and gently push about 1 tsp of the herb and garlic butter under the skin of each portion then smooth the skin back down. Place all the chicken portions in a large roasting tin.

3 Toss the potatoes in half the olive oil and season. Scatter around the chicken along with the rosemary sprigs. Cut the second lemon into thin wedges and nestle them in between then chicken and potatoes. Drizzle over the rest of the olive oil. 4 Roast in the pre-heated oven for 55 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes until the chicken is golden and cooked though and the potatoes are crisp and tender, turning the potatoes and basting the chicken with the pan juices once or twice. Serve from the roasting tin with steamed green vegetables, if liked. TIP You can use any combination of mixed herbs for the garlic and herb butter – thyme, parsley and oregano all go particularly well with chicken. Or just choose one strongly flavoured herb such as tarragon.

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Pictograms

Sudokus

4 words PIECE PIECE PIECE

fairly easy

3 words

UNORHO 5 words

not so easy

LOUDUMBONGE

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: 40 or more words Good: 34 words Fair: 30 words

M A O D N Y

L E

N E

3 Letters MAY MAYO ADO MOD MOAN AND NAY MYNA You have two minutes to find all the words of NOD 5 Letters three or more letters that can be made from the ANY YAM NOMAD letters above. Plurals are allowed, proper nouns DAM DAY YON 6 Letters are not. The 6 letter word will always be just a DON 4 Letters DYNAMO normal everyday word. MAD DAMN 3 letters: 14 Please 4 letters: 5 5 letters: 1 6Worcester letters: 1 Park Life when you speak to our advertisers remember to mention MAN MANY

MINEFIELD

M D

& The Lighthouse and Porthouse Residential Homes provide care for children and young adults with autism and learning disabilities. The homes are based in Surbiton, Raynes Park and Worcester Park and they are now recruiting support workers to work both daytime and waking night shifts.

We are

NOW HIRING This is an excellent opportunity to work flexible hours and to gain experience of working with children or young adults with special needs in a caring environment. Ideal candidates will have the following background: • Experience working with children or young adults with autism and multiple learning disabilities, who may display challenging behaviour • Minimum 1 year or more of experience working in a care environment • Good written and spoken English • Ability to interact with a range of young people and work as part of a team • Ability to provide consistency of care and support to the young people • Willingness to undertake training and qualifications in the workplace Salary £8.50 - £9.75 per hour (depending on qualifications and setting) + varied benefits package

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Events

other goodies including vegetarian 2pm to 6 pm A Thank You Concert and Picnic organised by the Royal British Legion, with performers including Oatlands Pipe Band, Ewell Castle School Choir, Epsom Male Voice Choir and the singer Sandra Gayer. The concert will climax in a singsong of the greatest hits of the time. Bring your picnic and join in with a big thank-you to the men and women who served in the Great War. There will be a stalls selling refreshments. Entrance £2 donation with programme and flag!

A Day to commemorate the end of fighting in the First World War September 23 10am to 6 pm A day at Bourne Hall in gratitude for those who fought in the First World War In the morning Bourne Hall Museum will be using re-enactors to give some idea of what life was like for the men at the front including a cook with his working stove, Padre, officer and troops with a Vickers Machine Gun! There will be displays and talks on feeding the troops, gas training, infantry weapons and machine-gunning. Also a field hospital with four nurses. FREE Also from 10am All Things Nice will be serving bacon sandwiches and pulled pork rolls along with many

David Brooks Museum Assistant Bourne Hall Museum

Tel: 0208 394 1734 Web: www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk Email: dbrooks@epsom-ewell.gov.uk

Fruit and Veg 1. What fruit is the main ingredient of the dip guacamole? 2. À la crécy is a French cooking term that refers to a dish that is cooked with or served with which vegetable? 3. What commonly used two-word phrase originated in one of Aesop's fables about a fox who couldn't reach some fruit, so decided that the fruit was probably not ripe anyway? 4. What vegetable has a name that means "eat all" in French? 5. The phrase "forbidden fruit" originates in the Bible when Adam and Eve eat fruit despite God having commanded them not to. Which of Adam and Eve was the first to eat the fruit? 6. In an Indian restaurant, what is the main vegetable ingredient in a saag dish? 7. According to its packaging, the standard flavouring of the soft drink Lilt combines which two fruits? 8. What variety of lettuce is named after the Greek island where it originated? 9. Which 1967 hit single by Donovan was rumoured to be about the mistaken belief that someone could get high from smoking dried banana skins? 10. The vegetable the swede originated as a cross between which two other vegetables?

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0208 108 4564

Supporting life’s jour-

We’re committed to supporting you and your loved ones with heartfelt homecare in Worcester Park Award-winning care and support for you & your loved ones Entirely bespoke and flexible Compassionate TrinityCarers with specialist training Local Worcester Park, Cheam and Sutton areas Trusted for over 20 years Daily homecare will provide you with a caring companion who will visit from once a week to multiple times a day to support with everyday tasks and personal care. Live-in care is a wonderful alternative to residential care. You’ll receive full-time one-to-one bespoke care in your own home.

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Clubs

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

Mondays

Vibrant Ukulele Club meets most Mondays from 7.30-9.30pm at Christ Church with St Philip, Ruskin Drive, WP. Beginners and players all welcome. The club is aimed at adults learning to play the ukulele and singing a number of well-known songs in a fun and friendly atmosphere. Music is provided and also tuition for beginners. Sessions are FREE with a small donation towards music and refreshments. Contact Steve 07795 085600

New Malden Rotary Club Malden Golf Club,Traps Lane Monday evenings 6.15 for 6.45pm Barry Collins 07740 257 255

Worcester Park Civil Service Retirement Fellowship Group first Monday of the month at 2pm and finishing by 4pm. If the first Monday falls on a Bank Holiday the meeting takes place on the second Monday. Old Malden Scout Hall, 411 Malden Road, KT4 7NY. All retired civil servants and friends are welcome to attend and if you are interested in listening to one of our speakers please contact John Wright on 020 8337 8965 or johnandglenisw@gmail.com

mailto:johnandglenisw@gmail.com Do you enjoy listening to show tunes, big band music, jazz, light classics etc? Come along to an evening of live music played by top artistes. We meet on the second Monday of each month at our Banstead venue Banstead Organ & Keyboard Club Church Institute Hall, High Street, Banstead SM7 2NN Doors open 7pm for 7:30pm start.(Visitors £7) Visitors & new members are always welcome to our concerts. 020 8330 5795, or visit www.bansteadorganclub.co.uk

Worcester Parkers Women’s Institute meet on the 3rd Monday of every month 7.45pm to 9.45pm at Christchurch with St Philip Church Hall in Ruskin Drive, Worcester Park. For more information contact Sue Hostler on 020 8337 3756 wi.worcesterparkers@gmail.com

*There is currently a waiting list. Cheam Common Art Group Small friendly Art Group who meet at Christ Church With St Philip Ruskin Road, Worcester Park 7.30 – 9.30 p.m. Welcome new members just to draw and paint in any medium without tuition. If interested come down for an evening and meet us to see whether this is for you Brenda Banks 020 8330 0928 Worcester Park Over 60’s Welcome Club meet every Monday from 1pm to 3pm at Christ Church with St Philip Church Hall in Ruskin Drive. Worcester Park. All over 60’s welcome to join us for a cup of tea and a

biscuit or two, plus some outstanding entertainment in the way of singers and musicians. One Monday a month we have Bingo and every Monday we run a raffle. Days outings to the coast are organised throughout the summer months, and mid week holidays are organised two or three times a year. Come a little earlier and meet up with some friends and have a chat before the entertainment starts. We would love to see you. Contact Joyce on 020 8330 5065. The ladies After Eight Club 2nd Monday of every month from 8pm onwards at Christchurch with St Philips church hall. We have interesting speakers, outings and dinners and all are welcome for a small subscription to cover our costs. Just come along and join in. Carol on 020 8337 2452 St James Players If you enjoy acting do come or help backstage. Monday and Wednesdays 8pm New members welcome. St James Church Hall, Bodley Road New Malden. Mem Sec: linda@dunnz,net

Tuesdays

Music Lovers Wanted! - for “In the Mix” Singing Group. at Wesley Hall, Christchurch with St. Philip Church, Ruskin Drive, Worcester Park. Every Tuesday 1.30pm - 3.30pm. A weekly sing- along and social with pro singer/vocal coach Sheila Daniels and pianist. New songs every week, from the 1920s through to the 1970s, covering all genres. £6.50 on the door plus tea/ coffee and home-made cakes. No booking required. Sheila 07868 039 514 or visit www.thesugarband.co.uk/In_the_Mix

Vegan Group - monthly bring and share buffet,. every second Tuesday. 7.30pm until 9.30 in Room 1,Christchurch with St Philip, corner of Ruskin Drive, WP. For vegans and anyone interested in learning more about veganism. Conquest Art Group inspires people living with disability or long term health issue to discover their creative energy and build self-confidence through art. Our art group meets every Tuesday at St Mary’s Cuddington, The Avenue, Worcester Park, KT4 7HL from 1:30 to 3:30pm. Anyone over 18 is welcome, all art materials and refreshments are provided. If you would like to come along and give us a try, please contact Carole on 020 8786 8534.

The Worcester Park Dramatic Society is a local amateur drama group of long standing. We stage two major productions a year at the Adrian Mann Theatre in Ewell, in April and November. We meet every Tuesday and most Fridays at 8.15 pm in the Elmcroft Community Centre in North Cheam, on the Sainsbury’s site. Apart from play readings, rehearsals and set construction, we have quiz nights and various social

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events. We also arrange group outings to amateur and professional theatre productions. We welcome new members to help us stage future productions, anyone willing to act or work backstage. membership secretary, Trevor Payne on 07540 084430.

“Lunch Break” - a friendly lunch club for those retired, meeting on a Tuesday 12-2pm (term time only) at Worcester Park Baptist Church, The Avenue - free, but donations invited. Occasional speakers. Brian on 020 8224 6675 or Rowena 07837 941298

NHS Retirement Fellowship Are you retired or about to retire from the NHS? Why not join us on the 1st Tuesday of every month from 10am -12 at Christ Church Hall, Christ Church Road, Surbiton, KT5 8JJ. We have speakers, activities, coffee & chat.Other outings & activities are also arranged during the month. Lorna on 020 8337 4121

Wednesdays

Keep Fit Stay Fit every Wednesday 10.15-11.15am at Christ Church with St Philip, Ruskin Road. Come along and give it a try ! Jo Hamilton on 020 8786 3444. The Probus Club of Ewell Coming up to retirement? Just retired? Looking to make new friends? Why not join the Probus Club of Ewell? Since it was founded over 40 years ago, the Probus Club of Ewell has been attracting businessmen from Worcester Park and its surrounding areas with a broad range of professional and business backgrounds.

We meet on the first Wednesday of each month, usually at Banstead Golf Club for a Lunch followed by a Speaker. Anyone wishing to know more about us or wanting to make contact can do so through our website www. ewellprobus.co.uk or by email to secretary@ewellprobus.co.uk. Talking Of Trains In Surbiton Programme of talks which take place locally at the Surbiton Library Hall each Wednesday evening throughout the winter months. The first meeting is free; the fee for the complete year is just £50. www.talking of trains.co.uk

Free Badminton taster session Come and enjoy playing BADMINTON with us! Wednesdays 7:45pm to 9:15pm at Stoneleigh Methodist Church, Stoneleigh Crescent, KT19 0RT Interested? Please contact Will Ward: willjward@gmail, 020 8393 9779 or 07874 896211 or just turn up on the night. N.B. Spare racquets available - if requested beforehand. ‘You Must Remember This’. 2 – 3.30pm. Except the first Wednesday of each month. Stoneleigh Methodist Church, Stoneleigh Crescent. KT17 0RT. This new singing group opens on May 9th and is for those living with memory problems, sometimes associated with Dementia, and those caring for them. Singing can help revive memories whilst sharing in fun and making new friends. Everyone should be accompanied by a relative, friend or carer and this is also a time for you, when

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you can share your experiences with others in the same situation over a friendly cup of tea. NO singing experience necessary, just come and enjoy yourselves. Cost £1.50 per week. Jeananne on 07729 028850

Thursdays

Tunes’n’Tea An afternoon of live music, tea, coffee, home made cakes, conversation and dancing if you wish. Guest musicians perform for your delight! Relax and listen to a mix of songs and tunes, old, new and everything in between! It’s at St john’s church hall, Station Approach, Stoneleigh. 2nd Thursdays 1.30pm and finishing at 3.30. Group Singing Lessons -“Discover the high level of well being, strength and confidence which can be achieved when you learn to sing without effort.” .Weekly small group classes. Each session focuses on gentle physical and vocal exercises, breathing technique and song practice with individual advice and feedback. Call 07868 039 514 or visit www. skylarkvocal.co.uk for more info. Sessions Mondays at 11.30am and Thursdays at 7.30pm at Christchurch with St. Philips, Worcester Park. Suitable for beginners and confident singers. Ewell Badminton Club Meet every Thursday 9.30 11.30 am in hall in Welbeck Close, Ewell, KT17 2 BJ ( near Honda Garage, Ewell Bypass ). We have use of 3 courts, and are a very friendly group of players. New players would be most welcome. Elizabeth on 0208 393 3355 or e-mail libbymuscutt@ yahoo.co.uk

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. Sutton Mariners Sailing Club A local offshore sailing club founded in 1988 that meets at 8pm every Thursday evening at the Borough Sports Ground, home of Sutton United FC, Gander Green Lane, SM1 2EY. We are a small and friendly club of about 60 members and have about a dozen boat owners amongst us providing crewing opportunities during the summer months as well as enjoying meetings listening to interesting speakers and social nights. If you would like to get afloat come along and meet us – we’re sure you will enjoy the experience. www.suttonmariners.org.uk

East Surrey Family History Society For those who are interested in finding out how to investigate their family history the Sutton Branch of the East Surrey Family History Society holds meetings on the first Thursday of the month at St Nicholas Church Hall, Robin Hood Lane. Most months we have a professional speaker. March 2 Miss Anne Carter

How life changed forever in 1914 April 6 Ian Waller: Village Crafts Finding out about the records of those who worked in rural industry. www.esfhs.org.uk Kingston Phoenix Road Club is a cycling club with members in Worcester Park, New Malden, Epsom and Ewell. The club was founded in 1936 and currently has a membership of 85. New members are welcome to join us at the car park in Horton Country Park on Saturdays at 10am for either a road ride or an off-road ride. Our rides are usually between 20 and 35 miles and always include a cake stop before returning by 1pm. kingstonphoenixrc@gmail.com or see our website at kprc.org.uk.

Malden Emergency First Aid Society (Mefas) Members meet each Thursday evening at 7.30pm for First Aid training. New members required. Everyone welcome. Hall available for hire. Christine 07966661015 Breathe Easy (Merton & Sutton) Group Wheezy? Breathless? you are not alone, come and join us at your local friendly support & information group for anyone affected by a lung condition. We meet between 2-4 pm on the 3rd Thursday of every month at St. Bedes Conference Centre, St. Anthony’s Hospital, London Road, North Cheam. SM3 9DW George on 0208 647 7530

Thursday Fellowship Every Thursday at 2.30pm for men and women, finishing with a cup of tea and biscuits or cakes. A lively, friendly meeting

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SCILL 020 8770 4065 Sutton Vision 020 8409 7166 Christ Church with St Philip 020 8330 7630

New Malden Women’s Institute Shiraz Mirza Hall, Manor Park Hall, Malden Road, New Malden, KT3 6AV. 2nd Thurs of each month at 7.30pm Barbara 0208 546 1495 or twocavs@googlemail.com

Fridays

Quest a meeting place for people with physical disabilities between the ages of 20 - 60. However, once a member there is no age cut off. The aim of the club is to provide a welcoming, caring atmosphere for the members and allow the carers to have a regular break. Annual subscription. and £2.50 for lunch. We have various social activities and every second month we have a speaker. Christchurch with St. Philip, Ruskin Drive, Worcester Park. We meet the 2nd and 4th Fridays in the month from 12.45 to 4p.m June Day, Club Secretary, on 02083301220

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.

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at Worcester Park Baptist church in The Avenue. Well-known, familiar hymns and prayers, musical afternoons, and a variety of speakers on topical subjects, including help and advice. New members welcome. Church office 0208 330 1755 The Worcester Park Hello Club launched last November and is welcoming new members! We meet every Thursday morning from 10am – 12 noon. The club is aimed at anyone who would like to come and join in with board games, quizzes, cards, occasional craft sessions - or just to have a chat and a coffee. Adults of any age are welcome to come and get to know each other. The main aims of the club are: • To meet new people and build friendships • To become involved with the local community • To access activities, information and advice The club is very friendly and informal. Every month there will be a member of staff attending from the SCILL Information & Advice Service – they have information on most topics for all your needs and will be pleased to assist you. The drop in club was set up by Sutton Vision, Christ Church with St Philip and SCILL , working Nametogether in partnership. We are fortunate to be provided with 16.11.16 a welcoming and comfortable venue at the Christ Church with St Philip Community Hall. There are accessible toilets on site. There is a small charge for coffee and tea at the church café.

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None

The Association of Surrey Bookbinders - we meet on Friday mornings in the Scout Hut in Dell Lane, Stoneleigh

play a range of friendly and league fixtures catering for all abilities. Secretary Mike Ridley 020 8715 8326 Treasurer Mark Broughton 020 8337 9699

Roger@gmathews.co.uk 020 8330 2306

Sunday

North Cheam badminton club meet every Sunday at the Elmcroft Community Hall North Cheam. We are a small mixed club looking for new members of reasonable club standard especially ladies. Contact Pat Odonnell on 02083938895.

General

Auriol Bowling Club Auriol Park, Salisbury Road,

Worcester Park. It is a mixed club of around 45 men and 25 women, who play outdoors from April to Sept with a busy fixture list of league and friendly matches against other clubs, as well as internal club competitions. David Regan 020 8337 8919 www.auriolbowlingclub.com. Cuddington Bowling Club Sandringham Road, Worcester Park and we play on an excellent 6 rink green that has been acclaimed by many of the club’s visitors this year. We are a mixed club with about 60 members and

Social Dancing with Glitters at Bourne Hall, Spring Street, Ewell Village. 8.30 - 11 pm. Over 18s. Entrance fee £8. All standards of dancing. Friday 5th October and Friday 19th October. National Trust - Epsom, Ewell and District Supporters Group Formed in 1971, we run a varied programme of social eventswhich includes Evening Lectures at Bourne Hall in Ewell, once a month from Oct. to June, Coach Outings which visit historichouses and gardens(not necessarily N.T.),Guided London Walks, and other trips to London e.g.The Magic Circle, The Royal Opera House (backstage tour).Other special events include Coffee Mornings, Holidays and Christmas Lunch. Newsletters are produced four times a year.If you would like more information please visit our website: www.epsom-ewell-district-nt.co.uk or telephone Paul on 020 87158486 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.

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Health

By Alison Runham www.alison.runham. co.uk

Achieving A Better Work-Life Balance 1st – 5th October is National Work Life Week, focusing on how employees and employers can improve work-life balance. Research undertaken by campaign organisers Working Families found that: • Half of parents feel their work-life balance causes stress. • One in ten is ready to resign (without another job). • Seven out of ten parents work at home in the evenings or weekends, due to increasing workloads, organisational culture and manager attitudes. But working long hours is bad for us. Research by Public Health expert Prof Mika Kivimäki showed that people working 55 hours or more per week have a 33% higher risk of stroke and a 13% higher risk of coronary heart disease than those working a 35 to 40-hour week. Experts suggest this is probably due to prolonged sitting, stress, less time for exercise and less time for relaxation and healthy eating. So, how can employees achieve a better work-life balance and how can employers help? Employees: Think Flexibility The Working Families study showed that half of people in the UK want to work flexibly but fewer than one in ten jobs advertised offer flexible working. • Discuss your requirements and possible solutions with your employer, such as flexible working, changing work times, reducing your hours or working fully or partially from home. • Self-employment may appeal but be warned: it has its downsides and doesn’t suit everyone. Finding work, selling your skills, doing your own bookkeeping and admin, taking sole responsibility for the quality and completion of projects, avoiding distractions and motivating yourself can be overwhelming, stressful and lonely. • Know when to say no and when to down tools (resist opening work-related emails after hours). • Get enough sleep. Working into the night is ultimately counter-productive as your memory, response time and concentration will all suffer. You’re also putting yourself at great risk of mental and physical health issues.

• Prioritise tasks and break them down into smaller steps to stay on track, avoid being overwhelmed and have a feeling of achievement. Employers: Listen to Your Employees To become a more flexible employer: • Investigate how technology could help your employees work from home or while travelling, using Cloud-based services to access real-time financial data, message colleagues and collaborate on projects online. • Listen to employee requests regarding flexible working etc. with an open mind, but also express your concerns so that they can address them. A trial period allows both parties to see how well a new working pattern performs in practice. • Consider offering job-share options. You should also consider the well-being of your employees and ensure you’re meeting your legal obligations to them. • Do they get their statutory breaks in a place away from their workstation? • Do you signpost or offer mental and physical health services? • Do you ensure equipment is positioned correctly to avoid physical strain and fatigue? • Are employees encouraged to speak up if they feel the demands placed on them are too great? Research shows that happier, healthier employees are more productive and loyal, so caring about their wellbeing is not just altruistic – it makes good business sense as well. To find out more, visit www.workingfamilies.org.uk.

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Parkin' some thoughts by Nick Hazell

The High Life Edith Piaf would not be my chanteuse de choix. I’m more Kylie than culture. However, one of the tunes with which the French songstress is most closely associated could be said to resonate with my current mood. There’s no room for regrets. It’s better to look back on life and say, “I can’t believe I did that” than to look back and say, “I wish that I had”. I had reason to express that view on a journey home from work this month. My driver was explaining how his recent conversion to Buddhism had caused him to wrestle with the concept of doing frivolous things. Apparently, the activity of our minds becomes less frivolous as we begin to practice on the hinayana path leading to a happier, more sane, and meaningful life, blah blah. I’m not sure if he was in search of a like mind but it would soon have become clear to him that he was talking to the wrong person. Overthinking, I suggested, will destroy his mood. He should breathe, relax, let go and enjoy himself. Life is too short. I fear there may be one less in attendance at the next meeting of the Bermondsey Buddhists. There is though a danger with this philosophy and I’ve got to be careful it doesn’t lead to what might be considered bad judgement. For example, some of my symptoms are so frustrating that I’d try almost anything to make them more manageable and so an unusual opportunity seemed to make absolute sense when it really shouldn’t have. Through a Parky Pal, I was offered the chance to involve myself with an upcoming TV project, the Drugs Cafe. Set in a Dutch coffee shop, adults of all ages and backgrounds would be invited to take marijuana, sometimes for the first time, to test the theory that cannabis can bring about more harmonious human relationships. As part of that, a few people with neurological conditions were being asked to participate to explore the effects of the weed and fuel the debate on whether Cannabis should be legalised for medicinal purposes. This seemed a good idea to me. Cannabis has been found to relieve symptoms of Parkinson’s and so the chance to experiment at someone else’s expense

without being arrested was one I felt could not be turned down. It was an absolute no brainier. Yeah. Live life with no excuses. Travel with no regrets. Amsterdam here I come man... What was I thinking??! I’d somehow taken the view that it was sensible for a lawyer with 2 young kids to appear on prime time television smoking dope without risk of being made to look an absolute arse and being unemployed upon my return! The only brain missing was the one in my head. Fortunately Victoria, as ever, was on hand to steady the ship of desperation before it sank on the sea of credibility faster than a business plan on The Apprentice! Having decided it career limiting and with Edith’s lesser known song from her later years entitled “je regretterais beaucoup” ringing in my head like a prophetic air raid siren, I politely declined. Still, I reckon there’s something in it. After all, nothing else works, Mrs H loves to travel and drinks coffee by the sea container. Maybe we should do a city break without a camera crew in tow. As Kylie would say, “je ne sais pas porquoi.... pas”!

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

Monday

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

Tuesday

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

Thursday

Carer and Toddler group for all families with twins and multiples. Come and meet other local families who understand all about having more than one of everything! We meet every Thursday at Worcester Park Baptist Church from 9.30- 11.30 am with toys, craft, songs, refreshments and stories during term time. Come along and join in - other pre-school siblings also welcome. There will be a minimal cost of £2 per family.

Friday

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

Saturday

Men behaving Dadly, Grace Church - every 3rd Saturday of the month, 9.30 to 11 am, at Green Lane Primary School. For Dads and their pre-school children (0-4). The kids get to play with the toys, the Dads get a bacon roll and coffee, and Mums might possibly get a lie-in... £3 on the door. For more information & contact details, www.gracechurchworcesterpark.org Old Malden Library (Church Road, Worcester Park) Tuesdays, 10.30-11am, Rhyme time aimed at age 0-3 Tuesdays, 2.30-3pm, Story time aimed at age 3+

Wednesday

Christ Church with St Philip Parent and Toddler Group 9.30 until 11.15am - see Monday Worcester Park Baptist Church 9.30-11.30- see Monday. we have vacancies on a Wednesday

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Tudor Williams Ltd. 53 - 59 High Street, New Malden KT3 4BU www.tudorwilliamsltd.co.uk 020 8942 2277

hoosing the right bed is very important as you could be spending around 29,000 hours on your bed during its ten year life span. With a fantastic selection of beds from leading brand names like Relyon, Somnus, Myers and Dunlopillo, Tudor Williams can help you make the right choice. Our experienced and helpful staff are always on hand to ensure you find what you need at a competitive price.

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Able 2 Build & Sons Ltd

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Constructing Your Future 48

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