Wplife december 17 by jenny stuart

Malden’s

illage oice

KT3’s ONLY FREE Independent Community Magazine and Business Guide December ‘17 Issue 146

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December Contents History by Robin Gill 6 New Malden Matters 14 Fighting Colds and Flu: Myths and Magic Cure 18 Cryptic Crossword 20 The History of Christmas Traditions 22 King’s Oak Primary School Expands Early Years Provision 24 View from the City 26 Sudokus 30 Christmas Services 32 Recipe Salmon And Monkfish Filo Wreath 34 12 Festive Tips on How to Avoid the Traditional Christmas Stuffing! 40 How to Plan for the Boxing Day Sales 42 Gardening 42 Clubs 44 Codeword 50 Kid’s play 52 Parkin’ some thoughts 56 A Photographer Dreams 58 Solutions 60 Royal British Legion Malden & Coombe Branch 61

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 This year will require a new Christmas Day routine in the Stuart house. Every family has their own rigidly held beliefs on the timing of when what presents get opened, how long we can stay in PJs before church, what to have for breakfast and when to eat the turkey. Now we will be factoring in ‘walkies’ into our day The disruption to our routine is ‘Mad’ Matty’– the puppy I swore we would never get… famous last words. Our boy (goodness, listen to me!) is incredibly loving and affectionate with bionically waggy tail and passion for jumping on and licking anyone and everyone. Being so excitable, he is also very naughty in the loving way that only an adorable puppy can be - like a child field by an overdose of fizzy sweet drinks. Stray socks, newspapers, shoes and anything with packaging just do not stand a chance of remaining intact as Matty sets about them. So no presents under the tree I think this year until after Santa’s been.... 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. So, until next year, best wishes

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 November if you’d like your business, Club or event to feature in the December edition, and 13th December for January.

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New Malden History Fountain Of Information by Robin Gill In the local news recently, has been the plans for the Fountain public house and the surrounding area. So, I thought it right to give interested parties some background on the early history of this Malden institution. Opening Times The house was built in late 1866/early 1867, next to a brickfield, and close to an old clay pit on the junction of the roads to New Malden (now High Street), Old Malden (Malden Road), and Kingston (now Kingston Road). It was built across the footpath to Merton which had to be moved alongside (now Burlington Road) Then known as the Hay Grove Hotel, it was run by Edward Lock formerly a butcher in Clarence Street Kingston. The premises were valued at £75 per year for rental purposes. Already operating as a beer house after being granted a licence from the revenue office, Lock requested

Kingston magistrates to grant him a licence to sell spirits and presented a petition in support signed by 25 people living nearby, surprising as there were little or few properties in the immediate vicinity. There were also no other licenced premises within half a mile, but the magistrates turned down the application, as the building had only just been constructed. Lock was disappointed, knowing that he would have to wait another year to reapply, as the officials only considered applications for one day each March. He had gone

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through the required procedure of displaying his application both on the hotel, and also on the door of the newly built Christ Church.

friendly societies and all members are called Brothers. Later they seem to have become a more church based society.

“Sports Venue” After this setback, and with a view to endearing his establishment with the local population, and the local gun club held a contest of sparrow shooting (in March 1867) for a young pig, a silver cup (displayed in the bar) and a cash reward. Whilst we rightly regard this “sport” as barbaric nowadays, in the 19th century, sparrows, starlings, and pigeons were regarded as “fair game” amongst the shooting fraternity. The contest was held on land adjacent to the hotel.

Lock Out? Lock was also getting adept at how to deal with unrulily customers, so when a James Simmons arrived at the Hotel at 11 o’clock at night for a pint, he was dealt with civilly, until he queried paying for a second drink, and was then forcibly ejected. Simmons took Lock to court saying that he had been knocked down and kicked during the altercation. Other witnesses declared otherwise and the case was dismissed. It seems that beer house opening times were 5am until midnight, but Lock was prosecuted for allowing beer to be consumed on a Sunday in September. Lock stated that the men drinking had been rewarded for helping pump out some water from his cellar, but the fact that seventeen men were found in his backyard with beer meant that he was not believed and find £1 12/6 (£1.62½ pence)

Mr Lock also arranged for the first match of the newly formed New Malden Cricket Club to be played on a piece of adjacent ground in July (1867) between the local grocer Mr John Chilmans XI and the local baker Mr William Penfold’s XI. Afterwards all the players and their guests had dinner at the hotel courtesy of Mr Lock. The Hotel was also the first home of the “The Pride Of Malden” the court of the Ancient Order Of Foresters which branch was formed in January 1870 at the Norbiton Park Hotel. The Foresters are one of the oldest

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Another application was made for a spirit licence in 1868 but as one had already been granted to George Collier at the Royal Oak, and Lock had been prosecuted for selling beer outside licensing hours, the application was refused.

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The Haygrove was also one of the establishments where details of land and property for sale in the area could be found. In 1868, this was land on Kingston, Montem, Thetford, Malden, and Presburg Roads, prime sites for villas. It was also around this time that the name of the road leading from the Haygrove towards Kingston was changed from Cambridge to Kingston Road, to avoid confusion for travellers with the other Cambridge Road in the area. A further application went to the magistrates in March 1869, and this was granted, provided Lock paid some outstanding rates and taxes. The name of the establishment was changed to The Norbiton Park Hotel almost immediately. The Norbiton Park area was rapidly being developed, and the hotel found itself on the market in October as part of the sale of the Blagdon Lodge Estate which included the farm, hotel, houses, shops, and cottages in all 230 acres. Fortunately, the freehold was bought by Thomas Hunter Fricker (founder of Fricker’s Brewery in Kingston), who retained Edward Lock as tenant. The hotel took on the business of holding local property auctions, such as land sales in Raby, Penrith, and Montem Roads. But with extra prominence came extra

responsibilities such as the upkeep of cesspools etc in constant use at a public house, and leakages had to be dealt with promptly (within seven days). Hard times Things did not go well, and Edward Lock declared himself bankrupt on 15th December 1869 with outstanding debts of £189 which he put down to “Stagnation in trade in the neighbourhood”. He already had a previous bankruptcy dating back to 1865 when he was a butcher. He was discharged from his bankruptcy in July 1870. Street lighting was at a minimum in early New Malden, the one light which covered the junction where the Norbiton Park Hotel stood, had been obscured by recent building, and it was decided to site it in the middle of the junction (predating the drinking fountain by 24 years) until it was pointed out that the Board did not light the street lamps all year round, and it would therefore be a danger to traffic. In addition, there would be very little room for vehicles to pass either side. The resultant compromise was to place the lamp outside the hotel. Things went from bad to worse for the Lock family as two of the younger children died within a day of

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each other in September. Phoebe was aged five, and Emily was two. It was first thought that they had eaten poisoned berries gathered in the fields, but as Emily had had measles for some time this was given as the cause of death, and after no poison was found at a post mortem of Phoebe, death was attributed to convulsions. More serious events occurred as Edward was charged with a violent assault against William Heave (a blacksmith) at the Wellington Inn in Kingston Road. Heave had been punched in the eye, and then stabbed with a knife. There were witnesses who saw Lock with the knife (which he denied), and the assault was proven with Edward being jailed for two months with hard labour. There was a history of bad blood between the two relating to money and a county course case, but as a result of the assault and subsequent prison sentence it was unlikely that Lock could have retained his licence at the Hotel. Not The Queen Victoria So, in February 1871 the licence was transferred to Thomas G Johnson, who retained it for a couple of months before transferring it to John Mitchel(l) a former builder from Deptford. Life with the Mitchells in charge was quiet, plans for local land purchases could still be viewed with roads such as Kingston and Westbury to be built on, this was part of what was called the Norbiton Park Estate, with plots of land up to an acre in area for “residences of a superior class”, but the only reports about the hotel locally, concerned robberies from the premises. One of these was the theft of some carriage springs which were kept in the yard behind the building. The hotel was often the place where coach and horses were changed for the stage from London to Brighton, so spares were kept in reserve. William Dean was seen carrying the springs by the local policeman PC Dunn who gave chase, catching and restraining him after a struggle. John Mitchell left the Hotel and was replaced by John Radford from Aylesbury and his wife Emma in 1878. Emma was to remain landlady of the Hotel for the next 37 years in three different guises, but that is for the next chapter.

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New Malden Matters We were pleased to welcome Sir Ed Davey, MP for Kingston and Surbiton, to our well-attended AGM on 30th October, for a question and answer session. The questions had been submitted beforehand and it will come as no surprise that the key concerns were development and infrastructure. Our first question was a request for an area plan, as is being put together for Tolworth. Sir Ed doubted whether we would see anything this side of the local elections, and pointed out that the council is dealing with uncertainty, such as the effects of Crossrail 2 and the removal of the local authority role in school planning (resulting from the Academies Act 2010 and the Education Act 2011). The next question asked what he could do to indicate strongly to the council and the government the complete lack of affordable housing locally, and an audience member remarked that homeless people are moved out of the borough. Sir Ed replied that the bulk of his constituency casework is housing issues. Half a million new homes could be built but have not been, and the Council for the Protection of Rural England has stated that estate regeneration could be handled better. Changes in the planning system introduced in 2011 have created a system which is too developer-led, and locally produces too many one and two- bedroom homes when more larger homes are required. Unused public sector land (such as NHS and MoD sites) could be used, but there is little incentive as the money must be returned to the Treasury; one solution might be a government agency for housing land. The issue of the lack of local planning control over education was returned to in the next question, why so much development is being allowed in New Malden without any effort to improve the infrastructure. Sir Ed responded that Justine Greening, Secretary of State for Education, is moving away from the free school policy introduced in 2011, and working with local authorities more. He was concerned to hear that Burlington school may have five form entry, and suggested a two form early years free school in New Malden could be a solution. He also pointed out that developers pay a Community Infrastructure Levy, although it would require a very large development to pay for a school. Increased development in New Malden, together with our proximity to the A3, prompted the next

question, about the local decline in air quality and its threat to health. Sir Ed has worked with both Simon Birkett of the Clean Air in London campaign, and the legal team ClientEarth. He gave a detailed response on the development of electric vehicles, with a move back to petrol in the short term. The cost of renewable energy such as offshore wind is now cheaper than gas, and batteries to store the energy are also being developed. The next infrastructure question concerned the pressure on our current rail system, and the delay to Crossrail 2. Sir Ed is a member of the all-party group on Crossrail 2, and considers that it might be completed in 2033/4. Until then, additional capacity can be found by running ten car trains, bringing the old Eurostar platforms into use for longer distance trains, and digitalising signalling so trains can be run closer together. New Malden is the third most used of the ten stations in the borough, after Surbiton and Kingston; the NMRA chair requested a more frequent service between New Malden and Surbiton, which might reduce some cross-borough car traffic. This led to a question on traffic management, addressing the grid lock in the high street, and the pressure on parking which the new housing will create. It was noted that although local residents had voted against controlled parking in the last consultation (and the response rate was below the necessary 40%), this was before most of the recent housing applications, and views may be changing. Sir Ed said he did not have many answers on traffic congestion, but said that a door- to- door discussion of household travel plans in Perth, Australia, had reduced car journeys by 15%. Our last infrastructure question was on the increased difficulty of accessing a GP. The questioner quoted a three week wait to get an appointment, but Sir Ed thought the picture was very variable, and that the GP provision in Kingston is reasonable. The NMRA chair agreed to get some information via Healthwatch. In summary, the meeting was a useful occasion for local residents to engage with one of our two local MPs, and to obtain information on some pressing issues. Actual solutions are in shorter supply, and change is something we must face with as much grace as we can muster. Liz Meerabeau New Malden Residentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Association www.newmaldenresidents.org.uk

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Fighting Colds and Flu: Myths and Magic Cure Alison Runham www.alison.runham.co.uk Colds can make our life a misery and flu can make us quite ill, particularly if we’re vulnerable due to our age or an existing condition. So it’s no surprise that a host of myths and supposed cures have sprung up around these ailments. But are any of them backed up by scientific evidence? If you have a high temperature, then it’s the flu – not a cold. MYTH. Colds can sometimes cause a high temperature, although it tends to be short-lived and mild (not above 38oC). However, if you’re suffering from sweats and chills, it’s probably flu. It’s pointless to avoid someone with a cold or flu. You’re bound to get it anyway. MYTH. Flu and colds are highly contagious, spread by both airborne and direct contact methods, but they’re avoidable. Avoid sufferers if you can, but if you can’t, you can still stay germ-free if you both practise good hygiene. This means: • Clean high-contact surfaces regularly (e.g. phones, door handles, touch screens). • Clean hands regularly and thoroughly, especially after touching the nose or mouth • Don’t share cutlery, cups or towels. • Ensure the contagious person has tissues close by to catch coughs and sneezes, and bin them immediately. They should use the ’vampire’ cough (into the inside of their elbow) if they’re caught tissue-less. The flu vaccine doesn’t always prevent flu, so it’s not worth having. TRUTH - and MYTH. It’s true that you may still get the flu. Flu vaccines are produced in advance, so experts must try to predict the three or four flu strains that will be prevalent next winter. This means you may catch an unexpected or rarer flu strain you’re not protected from. However, the vaccine is still worth having, as it will protect you from most strains you’ll encounter. It’s particularly recommended if you’re vulnerable or have low immunity, e.g. if you’re a carer, over 65, pregnant or have an existing medical condition. Getting very wet and/or cold can give you a cold or the flu. MYTH. Since both colds and the flu are caused by viruses, it’s pretty obvious that cold or wet conditions

can’t give you either. But what cold and wet can do is put your body under stress, making it more vulnerable to germs it encounters. The flu vaccine gives you flu MYTH. Inactive viruses are used in the vaccine. But you may have a temperature and ache for a short time afterwards. If you’ve had a cold or flu for a while, you should ask the doctor for antibiotics MYTH. Your doctor may give in and prescribe them, although they know antibiotics won’t work; antibiotics don’t kill viruses. Patients sometimes take antibiotics for a week and declare smugly that they’re cured, when in reality, that extra week was all their body needed to finally fight off their virus. Antibiotics are only of use if you get a secondary bacterial infection. Magic Cures Prevention is the best cure. Cold and flu viruses are highly contagious and most of us touch hundreds of communal surfaces every day, so practice good hygiene and keep your hands squeaky clean – research shows this can work. Research also shows that stress and poor sleep can make us more prone to colds, so take positive action to reduce your stress and ensure you’re getting enough good-quality sleep. Boosting your immune system may help you resist colds and flu or fight them off more quickly. There is evidence that taking zinc regularly can reduce the number of colds children get each year, and although there is less reliable research on adults, it’s reasonable to assume it can work for them too. Regular intake of probiotics and garlic may also have some preventative effect, but the research so far isn’t reliable enough to confirm it. Vitamin C and echinacea have now been researched extensively and the consensus is that they don’t provide cold or flu prevention – and any lessening or shortening of symptoms is mild to non-existent. However, Vitamin C may be of negligible benefit to people already under physical stress (e.g. marathon runners).

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Decongestants and antihistamines: apologies to your wallet, but when used separately, research indicates these medications have very little or no effect. However, when used together, particularly with painkillers too, there seems to be a slight improvement in symptoms. Ipratropium bromide (Rinatec) nasal spray does seem to help alleviate symptoms, particularly a runny nose. Over-the counter cough suppressants: the jury is out, as much of the research is poor quality. But it seems that any benefits are negligible. Vapour rubs do seem to help a little in alleviating night time cough and improving sleep, but a review of clinic studies showed that over a quarter of users reported burning or itching at the application area. NSAIDs (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, e.g. ibuprofen) can reduce fever and help with aches and pains. If you have a cold or flu, stay hydrated, alleviate the symptoms and take heart; researchers are working to modify naturally-occurring peptides with properties that can combat cold viruses. A cold cure may be on the (distant) horizon.

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Cryptic Crossword Across 1. Composer with poor range (6) 4. Resist in order to be menacing (8) 9. Lire put out with quiet enjoyment (6) 10. Sop near surgery fifty own (8) 12. Man revising score outside (8) 13. Weapon a clergyman heard (6) 15. Experiment put back to the sixth of August (4) 16. Bill and Mina’s innards, say (7) 20. Girl Don played with in Florida (7) 21. A heavy book, in my opinion (4)

Down 1. State given total guarantee (8)

14. Purple lead put on many dogs (7)

2. Swimmer holds fig, bananas… (8)

17. Sensible girl opening circular (8)

3. Consumer taking in second festival (6)

18. Turn around to put in allowance (8)

5. Helper head to toe, it’s thought (4)

19. Badly damaged lever, yes? (8)

6. Ancient’s incorrect example (8)

22. City doctor in servant’s embrace (6)

7. Intent and incomplete lodger (6)

23. Live deer is at sixes and sevens (6)

30. Terrible lard feud not right (8)

8. Lady inside regretting decree (6)

24. A composer he described left (6)

31. Fish cut by Mr Henry, perhaps (6)

11. Top cobbler in shoe furore (7)

27. Country back in secure position (4)

25. Meeting-place at the end of a street (6) 26. Split pea’s changed value (8) 28. “Wet weather, love,” said a beast (8) 29. Lawyer going around bog gets respect (6)

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History The History of Christmas Traditions By Kate McLelland Every year, some people mourn the loss of traditional, more faith-based Christmas celebrations. Yet most December 25th traditions are far less Christian and much more recently adopted in the UK than they may think. Celebrating on December 25th Jesus’ birth date isn’t documented and the gospels of Matthew and Luke, written long after his death, give contradictory clues. Some scholars say the sheep on the hillside and the census suggest good weather, indicating spring to early autumn. So why is Christmas celebrated on the 25th of December? Midwinter festivals abounded by the time Christianity took hold. There were winter solstice tradition of hanging mistletoe in the house is an celebrations such as Yule and Koleda, and the ancient Druid custom to ward off evil spirits, but in Roman festivals of Saturnalia (which included Norse mythology it’s also a symbol of love (hence decorating your home with evergreens – sound kissing under the mistletoe). familiar?) and Dies Natalis Solis Invicti, ‘birthday Christmas Pudding of the unconquered sun’, on December 25th. It The original ‘Christmas pudding’ was frumenty, was easier for early proponents of Christianity to a thin 14th century porridge containing raisins, introduce it into these longstanding festivals than to currants, prunes, wine, spices, beef and mutton. persuade people to give them up. However, by around 1650, people ate plum The first Christian Roman Emperor, Constantine, pudding, and by Victorian times, it was similar to began celebrating Christmas on December 25th in the modern-day Christmas pud. 336. A few years later, Pope Julius I declared it the The Christmas Tree official date to celebrate Jesus’ birth. Some scholars Evergreen fir trees have been used in winter believe he also chose this date to honour Hanukkah festivals for thousands of years to symbolise the and Jesus’ own religion, Judaism. coming spring and everlasting life, although Orthodox and Coptic Christians celebrate Jesus’s they were often hung upside down from the birth on January the 7th - the ‘original’ December ceiling rather than stood upright. ‘Christmas trees’ 25th. Our December 25th moved when we adopted emerged in the 1500s in town squares but took the Gregorian calendar in 1752. time to come into people’s houses. The Royal Family Yule Logs had one from Georgian times, but an 1848 photo Today, Yule logs have been mainly superseded by of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and their family log-shaped chocolate cakes here, but neither are gathered around theirs popularised the idea. connected to Jesus’ birth. Yule logs were part of A Merry Christmas the Scandinavian Yule celebration, beginning at Christmas wasn’t celebrated widely in the UK until the winter solstice and running into January. Yule the Middle Ages, when it was predominantly a logs were burned to mark the return of the sun and time for merrymaking and feasting on animals festivities continued until they burned out. too expensive to feed through winter. It was later Celts also burned a Yule log, believing it persuaded banned for many years by the Puritans for its Pagan the sun to return and bestowed good luck on those origins. It began to recover in Georgian times with who dragged it from the forest. a focus on charity and gift-giving, paving the way Holly, Ivy and Mistletoe for the idealised Victorian Christmas described by Evergreens were used in winter solstice festivals to Charles Dickens. bring good luck and signify the coming spring. The 22 Please remember to mention the Village Voice when you speak to our advertisers

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Education King’s Oak Primary School Expands Early Years Provision “We were really impressed at the level of provision available for the early years children, and with the staff who were welcoming and extremely informative. The school has a lovely, positive atmosphere and the emphasis on inclusivity and maximising the potential of all children was very clear to see.” – Prospective Parent, October 2017 Exciting things are happening at New Malden’s King’s Oak Primary School. The new Head Teacher, Lucy Campbell, who took up the post in September 2017, is keen to build on her predecessor’s success by ensuring that King’s Oak remains at the heart of the local community. King’s Oak caters for children from 2 years old through to Year 6. (Three forms of entry from Reception to Year 5 and two forms in Year 6.) Alongside its mainstream intake, the school also provides a specialist resource provision for children with Autism. One of the biggest changes at King’s Oak is the expansion of its thriving Early Years provision, which

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: 68 or more words Good: 60 words Fair: 50 words

D E

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is split into three sections: Pre-School (2-3 year olds); Nursery (3-4 year olds); and Reception (4-5 year olds). Children who attend Pre-School and Nursery may do so for either morning or afternoon sessions, with 30hour, funded places also available in Nursery, subject to availability. Early Years children at King’s Oak Primary School benefit from a “free-flow” environment that allows them to access learning opportunities both inside the interlinked classrooms and in specially designed and equipped outside spaces. The Early Years curriculum, which is built around solid evidence that young children learn best through play, is planned and organised around each child’s individual learning needs. As a result, progression is differentiated according to each child’s own stage of development enabling every child to flourish and reach his or her potential. The Early Years provision offers a rich range of playbased activities and real-life experiences through which children learn about themselves, those around them and the world in which we live. Children acquire excellent communication skills, enjoy exploring and investigating their environment and develop into motivated, confident, skilled learners, ready to take on whatever awaits them in “Big School”. Close links with the Norbiton Children’s Centre, which is located within the grounds of the school, encourage parents and carers to engage in their children’s early development and learning, in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. The Centre is open to all families with children under 5 years of age and provides sessions including Stay and Play, Family Learning and Health events. In addition to the expansion of the excellent Early Years facilities, King’s Oak pupils have benefitted from recent building developments in the main school. Twelve modern, bright classrooms house the Key Stage 2 classes, along with a new performance hall and specialist sports pitches. Extensive extra-curricular activities are offered to pupils of all ages and interests, including tennis, Spanish, cooking, arts, coding, gym, dodgeball, rugby, lego, dance, robotics and even a Harry Potter Fan Club! On-site breakfast and after school clubs ensure that children are adequately provided for with motivational activities, from 7:45am to 5:45pm, 5 days a week. Partsessions in after-school club (until 4:10pm) are also offered. Visits to King’s Oak Primary School by prospective parents are encouraged. Please contact the School Office on 020 8942 5154 to make an appointment or find out more at www.kingsoak.kingston.sch.uk

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View from the City We have to stop pretending that personal finance is hard Justin Urquhart Stewart, Co-founder and Head of Business Development 7IM Whilst planning no career change of my own beyond my regular, if fleeting trips to secondary schools to talk about money, I’ve been enjoying reading Lucy Kellaway’s FT articles on her first half term as a maths teacher. Kellaway is well known for her short shrift for maths illiteracy: “It is not cute. It is stupid, shameful and, if you have any position of responsibility at all, it is dangerous.” Ouch! Similarly, I recently came across Tony Cotton’s maths teaching blog. Cotton complains about the stories that we tell about maths – that it’s a hard subject – thereby somehow elevating those who do well to an almost unobtainable, elitist status. I couldn’t help but see parallels here with the financial services sector where the capacity for jargon has not covered it in glory, but has certainly helped build it into a proverbial ivory tower, with some cult like personalities. At heart, financial literacy all comes back down to numbers. So here’s few of my own bugbears: If we don’t challenge the myths about maths we perpetuate them – and the same is true of personal finance. In a 7IM survey earlier this year, we found that one of the reasons people give for not planning for retirement properly is that they find it all too complicated: one in ten say they don’t understand enough about pensions and it puts them off doing anything about it. It’s the classic ‘caught in the headlights’ stuff. And it is dangerous. If we pretend it’s all some mystery that can only be understood by the privileged few, we dissuade millions of people from making the effort to develop basic numeracy and financial capability skills that are vital for healthy living.

learned anything about managing money at school or college. This is shameful. I want kids to leave school able to understand how compound interest works. It’s equally crucial to be able to budget and work out, say, the best value between two different-sized packs of soap powder on the supermarket shelf. Given how poor we’ve been at teaching financial numeracy for so long, we need more adult education too. The recent FCA Financial Lives Survey showed that even at 55-64, only half the population have given any thought to how they will manage in retirement. Maybe employers should be offering financial literacy courses too. And we’ll need to support courses for the retired too. We can teach people basic skills and that’ll take them a long way, and we can give them the tools to do the more complex stuff. Our the free 7IMagine app, for example, uses modern gaming technology to bring finances to life and helps you estimate what you might need to do to help achieve your financial goals. It’s the old ‘carrot and stick’ approach, rebooted for the digital age. And there are other creative apps that encourage consumers to understand their money better. The demise of final salary pension schemes and improving life expectancy mean that we all have to work much harder to save for retirement and that money will have to last longer. This is a challenge we can’t ignore and yet millions do. But we also have to ensure they have the skills and understanding to recognise what they need to do. For me, the secret to financial literacy is making maths and personal finance relevant and fun. And I’m deadly serious about that. Seven Investment Management LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Member of the London Stock Exchange. Registered office: 55 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 3AS. Registered in England and Wales No. OC378740.

Obviously that starts at school, but research from the Money Advice service earlier this year suggested that only 40% of children aged 7–17 say they have 26 Please remember to mention the Village Voice when you speak to our advertisers

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Sudokus fairly easy

Pictograms 4 words

www.google 3 words

SEAN MR SALUTATION 4 words

not so easy

CH AIR DE SK TAB LE

Seasonal Savings If you’re planning to buy expensive apps for a smartphone, tablet or computer, don’t go straight to the App Store and pay the advertised price: at this time of year there are lots of special offers on gift cards and you’ll often see Apple or Google gift cards on sale with discounts of 20% off or more from supermarkets and chains such as Boots. The discounts tend to be 3 Letters OAR ROAD on multi-packs of cards (e.g. a three-pack of ADO RAM ROAM cards), but more than one card can be AND £15 gift RAN ROAN ARM ROD 5 Letters used to top up your available balance.Thus you DAM 4 Letters ADORN You have two minutes to find all the words of the cards on big-ticket items such as DAMN MANOR DON can use three or more letters that can be made from the MAD DARN NOMAD Apple’s £199 music program Logic Pro X, or letters above. Plurals are allowed, proper nouns MAN DORM RADON are not. The 6 letter word will always be just a a selection of albums, HD MAR you could DRAMjust buy ROMAN MOD MOAN 6 Letters normal everyday word. movies or games. The bigger the price tag, the NOD MORN RANDOM 3 letters: 15 4 letters: 10 5 letters: 5 6 letters: 1 NOR moreNORM money you’ll save.

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Christmas Services Churches Together in Malden wish you & your household a HAPPY CHRISTMAS Come and celebrate Christ’s Birth Christ Church New Malden Church of England Coombe Road www.ccnm.org Carols by Candlelight 17th December @ 6.30pm Children’s Carol Service 24th December @ 9.30am Midnight Communion 24th December @ 11pm Christmas Day 25th December 10am (All age) St John the Divine Church of England Kingston Road (opposite Homebase) www.sjnm.org Carols by Candlelight 17th December @ 6.30pm Christingle 24th December @ 5.30pm Christmas Evening Communion 24th December @11.00pm Christmas Day 25th December @10.30 am St James’ New Malden Church of England Malden Road stjamesmalden.org Children’s Christmas Workshop 10th December @ 2.30pm Christingle 10th December @ 4.00pm Nine Lessons and Carols 17th December @ 6.30pm Midnight Mass with Carols 24th December @ 11.30pm Christmas Day Family Service 25th December @ 10.00am

United Reformed Church Malden Road www.newmaldenurc.org.uk Carol Service 17th December @ 5.00pm Morning Service 24th December @ 10.30am Christmas Praise 25th December @ 10.30am New Malden Baptist Church Carols by Candlelight 17th December @ 6.30pm Family Christmas Service 24th December @10.30am Christmas Day Service 25th December @10.30am New Malden Methodist Church High St www.newmaldenmethodistchurch.com Children’s Nativity 10th December @ 5.30pm Nine Lessons & Carols 17th December @ 6.30pm Blue Christmas – for People finding Christmas difficult due to disappointment and bereavement

21st December @ 8.00pm Family Service 24th December @ 10.30am Christingle 24th December @ 5.00pm Communion 24th December @ 11.30pm Family Christmas 25th December @ 10.00pm

St Joseph’s Catholic Church Kingston Road / Montem Rd, KT3 3QW. www.catholicnewmalden.org For Confessions before Christmas, please see Bulletin, in addition to our regular Thursday 6.30pm & Saturday 10.30am and 5.15pm Confessions Corpus Christi School Carol Service 18th December @ 7.00pm Holy Cross School Carol Service 20th December @ 7.00pm Christmas Vigil Mass 24th December @ 5.30pm Readings & Carols 24th December @ 11.30pm Christmas Day Mass & Carols 25th December @ 9.30 & 11.30am

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Churches Together in New Malden would like to invite you to a service at one of your local churches this Christmas There is plenty on offer, so maybe try something new. Christingle & Nativities

Christingle celebrations started back in Germany around 1750 and are held between Advent and Candlemas. They are characterized by their joyful and celebratory nature and hold the surprise of a Christingle in their heart. Each child during the service, will be presented with a “Christingle” an object comprised of an orange, candle, red ribbon, fruit and sweets which symbolizes the arrival of Baby Jesus. If your child would like to make their own Christingle, then head to St James’ Church at 2.30pm on 10th December for a Children’s Workshop before the actual Christingle Service at 4.00pm. Christingle services will also be held at the Methodist Church at 5.00pm and at St John’s at 5.30pm, both on Christmas Eve. The nativity play is popular throughout the world and different countries have their own versions of telling the story of the birth of the baby Jesus. There will be an opportunity of seeing a traditional Nativity story this Christmas in New Malden. New Malden United Reformed Church are inviting people who come to their nativity service on December 24th at 10.30am to dress up as a character from the nativity. They are planning to create a large tableau with everyone involved, all are welcome, after all the minimum you require is Tea Towel to be a shepherd! The Methodist Church are hosting a Children’s Nativity on the 10th December at 5.30pm

Blue Christmas

Traditional Christmas

If you like traditional carol singing and services, there will be plenty of opportunity to join in at any church detailed here in the Village Voice. St James also offers the chance to join its choir on the 3rd December at 6.30pm with a Come and Sing service. The Methodist Church and St James are conducting the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, services which celebrate the birth of Jesus. Come and hear the story of the fall of humanity, the promise of the Messiah, and the birth of Jesus told in nine short Bible readings with the singing of Christmas carols, hymns and choir music. Whatever Christmas means to you, a chance to celebrate with family and friends, enjoy hospitality within the community or to simply wonder at being human, the Churches Together in New Malden would like to wish everyone a Very Happy Christmas and New Year.

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New Malden Methodist Church on 21st December at 8pm will be holding a Blue Christmas service. Blue Christmas is a service for those who find Christmas difficult, perhaps because of bereavement, being separated from family, losing a job and so on. In the midst of a season where the pressure to appear to be 'happy' can be overwhelming, it offers time for reflection and space to breathe, in which these things can be acknowledged and held. All are welcome. To advertise email jenny@maldenmedia.co.uk or call 020 8336 2915

Recipe Salmon And Monkfish Filo Wreath This festive wreath makes a great alternative to traditional roast turkey and can be prepared in advance the night before. Serves 6 Ready in 1 hour 30 minutes, plus chilling time Sunflower oil, for greasing 100g butter, melted 270g pack filo pastry, thawed if frozen 450g salmon fillet, skinned and diced 450g monkfish fillet, skinned and diced 225g cooked peeled tiger prawns 2 tbsp lemon juice 3 tbsp chopped fresh dill Salt and freshly ground black pepper Lemon wedges and dill sprigs, to garnish

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1 Use the sunflower oil to grease a 1.2 litre capacity ring mould, then line the mould with cling film. 2 Brush the sheets of pastry one by one with melted butter and use nearly all of them to line the ring mould. Overlap the pastry sheets slightly as you go and repeat the layers 3-4 times. Leave the excess pastry to drape over the side of the mould. 3 Mix the salmon, monkfish and prawns in a large bowl and stir in the lemon juice and chopped dill. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. 4 Spoon the fish mixture into the pastry-lined mould, pressing down gently. Fold the excess pastry in over the filling and top with more buttered sheets of pastry, cutting them to fit and completely cover the filling. Stamp small star shapes out of any remaining sheets of buttered pastry and place on a plate. 5 Cover the ring mould and the plate with cling film and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour (or overnight). Carefully invert the ring mould onto a large baking sheet and then remove the mould and the cling film. Re-melt any remaining butter and brush all over the pastry. 6 Bake in a preheated oven at 190C/fan 170C/Gas Mark 5 for 40-45 minutes until the pastry is crisp and golden. Bake the pastry stars on a separate baking sheet for 5 minutes until golden. 7 Allow the wreath to stand for 5 minutes then transfer to a serving platter and decorate with the pastry stars. Garnish with lemon wedges and dill sprigs. TIP Filo pastry sheets can vary in size so simply cut to fit. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t worry if they tear, just place another piece of buttered pastry on top to cover the tear.

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Christmas Food and Drink 1. What name is given to the part of a traditional Christmas dinner that consists of small sausages wrapped in bacon? 2. With the first part of its name meaning "star" in Latin, which lager was originally launched as a festive beer in 1926? 3. Not wanting to offend any of those who invited her, Geraldine Granger eats four Christmas lunches in a 1996 Christmas special of which TV show? 4. According to tradition, eating at least one what on each of the 12 days of Christmas is thought to bring good luck for the coming year? 5. Which liqueur is mixed with lemonade to make a cocktail called the Snowball? 6. Commonly eaten at Christmas in the USA and Canada, which dessert is mentioned in the lyrics of the songs Sleigh Ride and Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree? 7. Consumed by many people around Christmas time, what is known as Glogg in some parts of Europe? 8. In a famous nursery rhyme, who was "eating a Christmas pie"? 9. Which alcoholic spirit is traditionally added to butter and served with Christmas Pudding? 10. In 2008, three episodes of Deal Or No Deal that were aired shortly after Christmas featured what food item in place of the 1p booby prize?

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Health 12 Festive Tips on How to Avoid the Traditional Christmas Stuffing! With the seasonal celebrations approaching, our wallets emptying and our stomachs filling, it’s worth adopting some strategies to mitigate the expansion of the festive girth. If you want to save money on a January gym membership that you never use, or dispense with the New Year resolution that you struggle to keep, then read on: 1. Start the day with a good breakfast – If you eat a good breakfast based around a quality source of protein such as eggs on wholegrain toast, then it is less likely that you will snack on junk food later in the day. 2. Healthy snacks – Put out a fruit bowl, along with a bowl of nuts. If you are going to graze throughout the day, then reach for the fruit and a handful of nuts instead of the tin of chocolates. 3. Drink plenty of water – Hunger can often be mistaken for boredom or thirst. Avoid high sugar fizzy drinks and pour yourself a glass of H20; add lemon or lime for flavour. 4. Cut back on the booze – Alcohol makes you store calories as fat, stops you burning fat as fuel and makes you eat junk, therefore it has a threefold impact on your waistline. Offer to drive if you are going out for the evening and stick to alcohol free beers and wines or low sugar soft drinks. If you are drinking alcohol, then alternate alcoholic drinks with alcohol free / soft drinks throughout the night to reduce your total alcohol consumption. It will also help to reduce your hangover as you are more likely to be more hydrated when you go to bed. 5. Eat before you go out - If you are going out to a party and there is a buffet laid on, then eat a healthy home cooked meal before you go out. If you arrive at the party well fed, then you are less likely to graze on the deep fried nibbles when you get there. If the temptation is too great as the evening wears on, then grab a small plate and go for the freshly prepared buffet options such as smoked salmon, prawns, chicken kebabs, salsa, guacamole, sushi, vegetables & dips, fruit, nuts. 6. Eat slowly - It can take the brain around 20 minutes to realise that your stomach is full. So give your brain a chance to catch up with your stomach and slow down and chew each mouthful.

7. Be socially active – Get off the sofa, wrap up well and head out to the park for a walk each day and take family, friends and some ball games with you. 8. Don’t skip meals – If you go for long periods without food, your blood sugar will drop and you will start to crave high sugar snacks to satisfy your cravings. 9. Get some sleep – If you don’t get enough sleep then your leptin (known as the obesity hormone) levels drop. This hormone is one of the main triggers of hunger, so if you don’t get enough sleep, you will end up eating more. 10. Do something different each day – Don’t schedule the festive period around eating and drinking. There are literally hundreds of local events and activities taking place in December. Whether it’s Ice skating at Hampton Court or cycling along the Thames, there are loads of things to do with family and friends. Check out https://www.visitsurrey.com for more ideas. 11. Don’t crash diet – In the run up to Christmas, don’t start significantly cutting back on food to get yourself ready for the party season. Crash dieting will only make you eat more when the party season starts and you are more likely end the party season heavier than when you started. 12. Knock the guilt on the head – Stay clear of the weighing scales for the festive period as they will only make you feel bad about yourself. Don’t set yourself unrealistic goals that you are unlikely to stick to and if you do over indulge, then don’t beat yourself up over it. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and start again the next day. The key is to build a healthy relationship with food, alcohol and exercise which can be incorporated into everyday life. Happy Christmas! Pete Bodley-Scott, Personal Trainer www.strongbody.coach

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Finance How to Plan for the Boxing Day Sales Boxing Day is generally regarded as the biggest sales day of the year in the retail industry, so if you’re heading to the shops it’s worthwhile taking time to plan well in advance. A practical approach will help you focus on the best deals and take advantage of the fact that goods will be at a fraction of their normal price. One of the major problems of sales shopping is the sheer number of offers available, and it’s very easy to be distracted once you start. So what steps can you take in advance to help you get the most out of your day, and also protect your finances for the year ahead? Before you start high street or online shopping • Find out the store opening times before you go - they vary on Boxing Day, with some shops remaining closed. You can find this information from a store’s website and social media pages, along with details of the items that might be included in the sale. • If you’re shopping online, save the home page of each store into your computer, along with the product codes of any items you’re interested in. This enables you buy quickly, as soon as the goods are available. • Check out the returns policy for each store as you may have to pay for the returns postage and packing yourself. If you’re shopping on the high street you need to keep all your receipts, and the store’s returns policy should be printed on the back. Planning your spending According to the Centre for Retail Research¹, the total Christmas spend per household in 2016 was £809.97. Even if you don’t spend this much on Christmas, it’s an expensive time of year when you also factor in credit card bills for the sales. If you’re not able to repay the balance at the end of the month, you may find the savings you’ve made are suddenly reduced. So what can you do to alleviate the strain on your finances and make 40

sure you don’t find yourself in unmanageable debt in the New Year? • Stay within your budget Calculate how much you can afford to spend on Boxing Day, and stick to it. By focusing only on the items you want, you won’t overstretch yourself financially. • Use comparison websites to find the best price Compare prices online before you head out to the shops if there’s something in particular you’re looking for – this can save a lot of time and money. • Be wary of signing up for store cards Signing up for a store card at the till can seem like a good idea. You access further reductions on the cost but interest rates on these cards can be extremely high, so it may not be worthwhile doing so in the long-run. Pay off more than just the minimum amount Paying off only the minimum amount from your credit card each month means your sales purchases will cost significantly more than anticipated. Banks and credit card providers set the minimum amount as a percentage of the balance, so as you repay, this minimum required payment drops. This not only increases profits for the banks but adds considerably to your debt in the long-term, and can be the start of serious financial problems – not an ideal situation when you consider the items were purchased with a view to saving money. Are 0% interest credit cards a good idea? Balance transfer cards offering 0% interest for a fixed period of time are a good way to deal with large purchases. If you buy the goods on your ‘standard’ credit card and then transfer the balance over you can save a significant amount in interest, but there are also potential drawbacks: • If you miss a single payment on a 0% credit card, the provider will withdraw their offer and you’re likely to be charged an extremely high rate of interest in its place. • Fees are charged when you originally transfer a balance – usually a percentage of the amount transferred.

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• Credit card providers are often owned by larger banking institutions, and it’s unlikely you’ll be accepted for a balance transfer offer if you already hold a card connected to the group. At the time of writing, the best 0% balance transfer deals include: • Barclaycard: up to 40 months, with a fee of 1.68% (you’re not guaranteed 40 months at 0%, however). • MBNA: up to 39 months with a 1.48% fee (as with the Barclaycard example above, there is no guarantee that you’ll be offered the full 39-month term). • Sainsbury’s: 33 months, guaranteed if accepted, 0.59% fee plus £20 cash back. • Virgin Money: 30 months guaranteed on acceptance, with a fee of 0.55%.

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Gardening Get Real This Christmas Pippa Greenwood Christmas is well and truly just around the corner and whilst your thoughts may be on gifts, meals, crackers and cards, don’t forget the tree. And I mean a REAL Christmas tree not a tinsel one; a real tree complete with needles and, if you go down the really traditional route, that wonderful aroma that only a proper freshly-potted or freshly-cut Christmas tree can bring. I’ve heard people say that a ‘real’ tree is bad for the planet; after all we’re meant to be planting trees, not felling them! But don’t forget, British-grown trees are most definitely not an ecological disaster zone - think of them as a crop plant rather like a field of cabbages, except that on the whole a field of Christmas trees will be given less fertiliser and fewer chemicals than many classic crop plants. So go on, make sure you get one this Christmas! There are a few things you ought to think about before you buy your tree - it can be really daunting when faced with rows of different types at very varying prices, so what would suit you best? The Norway spruce (Picea abies) is the traditional tree, definitely my favourite but perhaps not ideal if you are more house-proud. It has gorgeous, short dark green pointed needles and that unmistakable Christmassy aroma, but sadly it is the most likely to drop its needles. Having said that, if you treat it well it won’t perform badly and you can enjoy the lowestpriced of the real trees complete with the traditional look. The Serbian Spruce (Picea omorica) is quite similar to the Norway spruce and has long been the favourite festive tree in central Europe, with a distinct blueish tint to the underside of the needles. As it is fairly slender it is a good choice for smaller sitting rooms, and is good-looking with decent needle retention… but of course no Christmas-tree smell!

choice if there are small children around) and are almost impossible to shift, it is certainly a good choice for those who hate any mess! The Fraser fir (Abies fraseri) is less widely available, but the combination of its good looks and needleholding ability makes it well worth considering. It has a narrower base than the Norway spruce so is also useful in smaller houses.

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The Nordmann fir (Abies nordmanniana) has become increasingly popular in recent years and is now the www.tayloredroomsolutions.co.uk biggest-selling Christmas tree in the UK. As its shiny green broad needles are quite soft (making it a good 42 Please remember to mention the Village Voice when you speak to our advertisers

So, with all these tempting choices, hopefully you’ve been persuaded to take the plunge? But how do you make sure you buy the best tree of the type you’ve decided on? And how do you make it keep its needles and its appearance for as long as possible? • It is important not to buy a real tree too early, as the longer they hang around after they’ve been cut the more likely they are to go downhill. • I always try to buy a tree produced by a member of the British Christmas Tree Growers Association – the BCTGA logo should be on the tree or clearly displayed nearby. • Take time to choose the tree – check that it has a good, full shape and that it is not too gappy or lopsided (or if it does lean, make sure that this will be hidden when the tree is in your house). Check the needles - they should be glossy (for those varieties where this is a characteristic) and the correct colour for the type of tree you’ve chosen. They also need to be free from pests and diseases - basically anything yellowed or inclined to shed, or with white fluffy bits should be avoided at all costs. Never buy a tree that has already been netted as this makes it a real lucky dip situation since you can’t see what you’re getting! • If you do buy one quite early then the most important thing is to keep it outside - just recut the end of the trunk and put the tree in a bucket of water

in a sheltered spot outside. If it was in a net when you bought it, remove this as it is important to get air circulating around the needles. • When you bring the tree inside, try to avoid putting it anywhere too warm or close to a heat source , and make sure that you use a stand with a water reservoir and that you keep the water levels topped up - if kept supplied with water then even the notorious Norway spruce Christmas tree should hold its needles well. When Christmas is over and it is time for the tree to come down, complete the green loop and make sure you recycle it - they’re not the easiest thing to recycle or compost at home, but many councils and garden centres now offer a re-cycling and Christmas tree chipping service. Visit Pippa’s website www.pippagreenwood.com for great gardening gifts: a stylish ‘Grow Your Own with Pippa Greenwood’ gift card (a perfect Christmas present, where the recipient receives their chosen garden ready vegetable plants in the spring and every week Pippa emails with topical hints, tips and advice), gardening tools, raised bed kits, GrowerFrames, signed books and more!

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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 Barry Collins 07740 257 255

Monday Netball Club Mondays 8.30pm

Katie Leason 07910 256107

English Conversation / Lessons Christ Church Centre, Coombe Road. Mon & Tues, 10am - 12noon Chris Coke 020 8942 7388

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

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 020 8337 4121

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

Colouring Club A soothing and enjoyable pastime for adults with no skills needed. 1011am at Cafe Galio. Royal British Legion, Malden and Coombe Branch meetings are held at the Grafton Club on the second Wed of the month at 2.30pm. New members welcome. Jan Feist: janfeist@hotmail.com

Thursdays

Early Morning Running Group Speed work on tarmacked areas, totaling 6-8 miles. Mixed ability group. No fee. Meet: The gates of Sir Mem Sec: linda@dunnz.net Joseph Hood Playing Fields, Marina St James Cafe, Bodley Road, New Ave, Motspur Park, KT3 6NE. (Three Malden runs on the 3rd Monday minutes walk from Motspur Park of every month (except August) station). Time: 6.00am at the gates. between 9.30am and 11.30am. Finish 7.30-7.45am. Olwen 07941 Secretary 020 8942 1926 Everyone welcome. Come for a chat Malden Bridge Club When: Tuesday 898896, olwenseear@gmail.com. over a hot drink and a tea cake. Dates New Malden Quilters Association evenings 7.30-10.30pm Graham for the rest of 2016 - 17th October, is a not-for-profit group which Spicer Institute, by entrance to 21st November and 12th December meets on the first Thursday evening Waitrose car park. (note earlier date). Contact Heather of each month at St John The John 020 8942 7560 020 8336 1582. Act For Justice New Malden Baptist Divine, Kingston Road, New Malden church; Westbury Road. KT3 5BE. first from 7.30 – 9.30.pm Refreshments Tuesday of every month, 8 - 9.30pm. are provided during the evening. Tuesdays We enjoy a variety of speakers, 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 Hill training on The Hamptons, domestic servitude, raise awareness Quilting and its associated crafts. covering 6-8 miles. Mixed ability £6 entry for guests. 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 Finish 7.30-7.45am. Olwen 07941 beginners. The Blind Alternate Wednesdays 898896, olwenseear@gmail.com. farnboroughskid@gmail.com 2pm to 4pm Mike Ball 020 8942 0819 Arthritis Care New Malden Branch 075785780726 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 House Berrylands Road Surbiton you are on your own please feel free Wed evening throughout the winter Jocelyn King 0208 942 6745 to drop in for a free cup of tea and months. 1st meeting free, cost £50pa The New Malden Ladies Badminton some company. 411 Malden Road www.talkingof trains.co.uk Club When: Tuesday at the Malden (between Worcester Park station Centre from 20.30 till 10pm We are and The Plough). 213 Bus stops a mixed ability club looking for new nearby. members. Lynda 020 8949 2673 or just pop in.

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The Malden and Coombe Townswomen’s Guild welcome new members. We meet at 10am on the third Thursday of the month at the United Reformed Church hall in New Malden. We are a friendly group of women of all ages and backgrounds. We have interesting speakers from various organisations; outings, clubs, bring and buy sales and competitions. We charge just £3 for your first visit which includes coffee and biscuits. Deirdre Banks on 020 89494743

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

Malden Centre Orchestra Malden Centre, Blagdon Road, 10am-12noon every Thursday (term time only). Come and enjoy great symphonic music in a friendly group of players under the leading of an experience conductor. newmaldenorchestra.weebly.com Contact: pbuttaboni@yahoo.co.uk

Tolworth Badminton Club Tolworth Recreation Centre Thursday evenings 7.30-9.30 Intermediate/advanced level

always available. £5 table money. Parking available outside the hall. Also buses and trains from very close by. Rosemary Vase 0208

Malden Emergency First Aid Society (Mefas) Members meet each Thursday evening at 7.30pm for First Aid training. New members required. Everyone welcome. Hall available for hire. Christine 07966661015 Kingston Association for The Blind Lunch Club at The Mefas Hall, rear of Malden Centre, Cocks Crescent, New Malden - for people with a severe sight loss - for a sandwich lunch on the last Thursday of every month 12.30 to 2.30 pm. £3 per person and friends or family are welcome.Kerry at

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

tolworthbadmintonclub.co.uk Pat 0208 395 9175 or just turn up

K.A.B. 020 8605 0060

Come and join our friendly local bridge club at the Shiraz Mirza hall (behind Norbiton station). We play 24 hands of duplicate bridge - with electronic scoring - every Thurs from 7.30pm.Host system so partners

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Malden Wanderers Badminton Club 22, Cambridge Avenue, KT3 4LE When - 8.30-10pm We are a friendly club looking for new members. Bobby 07946 532 846

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

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Kingston Debating Society An evening of lively intelligent debate, where you get to have your say. Thurs7.45pm 10 March Kingston Methodist Church, Avenue Road, off Fairfield South, KT1 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.

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.

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Christmas Movie Taglines Can you name 10 films set around Christmas time from taglines used to advertise them and the years they were released?

1 He puts the mean in green… 2000 2 The "Trolley Song" picture… 1944 3 A family comedy without the family… 1990 4 It’s Christmas Eve in L.A. and the party action’s about to explode… on the fortieth floor… 1988 5 He doesn’t care if you’re naughty or nice… 2003 6 A story about love at second sight… 1995 7 Two dads, one toy, no prisoners… 1996 8 They’re making memories tonight… 1946 9 Bill Murray is back among the ghosts. Only this time, it’s three against one… 1988 10 Cute. Clever. Mischievous. Intelligent. Dangerous… 1984

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Cooking with Elida Brigadeiro Cake

www.elidafamilydinners.blogspot.co.uk This is a recipe loved by all Brazilians, Brigadeiro Cake! It is a traditional celebration cake and I haven’t met anyone in my life who has tried and not liked it! Brazilian cakes can be quite sweet and we don’t usually use sugar paste to cover it perhaps because we are obsessed with condensed milk, glace and merengue icings! It’s a simple chocolate sponge cake drizzled with “chocolate milk” and iced with “Brigadeiro mole”, which is Brigadeiro with a runny consistency that allows it to be poured on top rather than spread. Very easy to make and absolutely delicious! For the sponge: 200gr self-raising flour 200gr caster sugar 200gr butter or margarine (at room temperature) 4 tbsp cocoa powder 4 eggs (beaten) 1 tsp baking powder Heat the oven to 180C. Start mixing the butter and sugar with an electric mixer until pale. Add the eggs little by little mixing it all the time. Finally sieve all dry ingredients together into the wet mixture and combine it very well with a wooden spoon. If the batter is too thick you can add one tbsp of milk. Butter and line with grease proof paper a 22 cm cake tin, (or any other tin you prefer) pour in the mixture and bake it for approximately 30 to 40 mins. Check the cake is cooked by inserting a cocktail stick into it and it should come out dry and clean. For the drizzle 150ml milk (full-fat) 2 tbsp drinking chocolate (any will do - I usually use Nesquik) Mix it well in a jug and reserve. For the “Bridadeiro mole” 1 tin condensed milk (full-fat) 1 tbsp butter 3 tbsp cocoa powder 1 tbsp thick cream

stirring it all the time with a spatula for approximately 8 mins until it starts to boil. It should look slightly thick but still runny in consistency. Let it cool. Tip: If it gets too thick which would be proper Brigadeiro consistency to roll, add a couple of tbsps of milk and mix it vigorously until it becomes a bit loose. Once the cake is cool, pierce it all over with a small fork, drizzle with the chocolate drink and give it a few minutes to absorb the liquid. Transfer it to a nice cake plate and pour over the Brigadeiro icing and sprinkle some chocolate vermicelli on top. Eat it straightway! It’s just luscious!!! Another option is to cut the cake in half and fill it with the Brigadeiro, cover it with more and sprinkle generously with chocolate vermicelli! If you don’t have chocolate vermicelli, don’t worry, you can use any other sprinkle like confetti, jimmies, hundreds and thousands, nonpareil, glitter... be creative!!

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the cocoa, butter, cream and condensed milk. Cook To advertise email jenny@maldenmedia.co.uk or call 020 8336 2915

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

10am to 11.30am Tots In Tow St John’s Church, Kingston Road Contact Dave on 02089425643 1.15 pm 3.15pm. St James Tiddlers Group We welcome all parents and toddlers, plus big sisters and brothers when they’re on holidays. St James Church Hall, Bodley Rd Contact Angie: 020 8942 2093 9.15 11.15 Stay and Play (0-18 months) - New Malden Children’s Centre, Burlington Road 020 8336 1561. Bumps and Babies under 1 NCT coffee morning, fortnightly Mondays. 10am to 11.30am. The Watchman Pub, New Malden. All welcome. NCT members and nonmembers. For more information and to confirm the next meeting date please contact newmaldennctcoffee@gmail.com

Tuesdays

Tuesday-Fridays

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

Saturdays

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

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

Wednesdays

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

Thursdays

9.45 to 11.30am Methodist Church Parent and Toddler Group Methodist Church, High Street, Contact Julia Morton 020 8942 1288. 9.30am to 12.30pm 9.30 - 12 noon Childminders’ drop in including school holidays, Norbiton Children’s Centre, The Mount School, Dickerage Road, 0208 942 2559 10.30-11am Story Time for age 2.5+ at New Malden Library

Fridays

9.30am to 11.30am Christ Church Parent and Toddler Group Christ Church, Coombe Road Contact Susie Gregerson 020 8241 9423. 9.45am to 11.15am Tadpoles Parent and Toddler Group New Malden Baptist Church, Kingston Road 020 8942 6912 – not a drop in session so call first. 10.30-11.00am Rhyme Time for age 0-3 at New Malden Library 9-12.Toy Library New Malden Children’s Centre, Burlington Road 020 8336 1561. Also at NMCC Breastfeeding Support Group - 10.00 - 12.00 - first week of the month Twins Support Group - 10.00 - 12.00 - Second and fourth weeks of the month,

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Call us on

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

Dreaming of being in a new, cosy home in the new year? Now is the time to let us help you make it happen. If you’re thinking of selling or letting and would like some expert advice on current market conditions, call us today. We’ll support you every step of the way.

Residential Sales • Lettings • Property Management To advertise email jenny@maldenmedia.co.uk or call 020 8336 2915

What’s On New Malden Farmers Market

@ the carpark behind the Fountain pub 9am-2pm 1st Saturday of each month

Music

Music in New Malden 3 o’clock, 2nd Sunday in the month New Malden Methodist Church, High Street KT3 4BY an hour of music followed by tea and cake All concerts and programmes are subject to confirmation. Check the website for latest news. web: musicinnewmalden.wordpress.com

Christmas Fairs

Sacred Heart Primary School - Christmas Fair Saturday 9th December, 12-3pm Burlington Road, New Malden, KT3 4ND All welcome! Interested in having a stall there? Contact sacredheart. psa@gmail.com Westbury House School Christmas Fair Join in the Festive Fun! Westbury House School 80 Westbury Rd, New Malden KT3 5AS Saturday 2nd December 2017 12noon - 3pm Entrance@ £1 per person Stalls: Lucky Dip, Santa’s Grotto, Spin the Wheel, a variety of international food stalls, craft activities, tattoos and much more!

Carols

24-26 High Street, KT1 1HL

www.rosetheatrekingston.org Box Office: 020 8174 0090 (bkg fee)

Alice in Winterland Thu 07 Dec - Sun 07 Jan Alice has been brought up to believe in wonder, but life takes an unexpected turn when her wounded father returns home from the Great War. Confronted with losing her home, she is visited by a White Rabbit who propels her on a quest to save Winterland, a world of ice and imagination, of mad hatters and cruel queens, curious cats and strong-minded dodos, a frozen world inhabited by the mysterious Bandersnatch and the terrible Jabberwock, where only the most intrepid of girls can make the impossible seem possible… Featuring magically evocative music and strikingly imaginative designs, puppetry and projections, this spectacular new stage production of Lewis Carroll’s timeless books takes the audience into a fairy-tale land of wonder and adventure. The production features professional actors alongside members of the Rose Youth Theatre.

SING ALONG CAROLS WITH WINE AND MINCE PIES

7.30 to 9.30 pm Saturday 2nd December 2017 An evening of Christmas music and readings with choir and audience participation No need to book- just turn up on the night

Graham Child Christmas Carol Concert, in aid of Mary Preston Holiday Projects 6th December 7.45pm New Malden Methodist Church, High St Tickets £5 Contact: Bobby Child 07946 532 846

This Gift Market

12th to 16th December is an established 5 day event. Bourne Hall, Ewell Our Stalls are specially selected for : Originality, Quality, Usability ,Good Value And Good Service. New Stalls Added Daily . only “one “ of its type at any time ...except Jewellery ....where there are 2 stalls Tihis is an indoors event with Table + Chair provided. All on Ground Level Open 10 am close 5pm ( 7 pm Tuesday) Cheap & Easy Car Parking FREE ENTRY

Rose Theatre Kingston

St Matthew’s Church, St Matthew’s Avenue, Surbiton KT6 6JQ

Andy Reeve

Plumbing & Heating Engineer ALL PLUMBING SERVICES from tap washers, toilets & garden taps through to installation of Central Heating Systems, Kitchens & Bathrooms.

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

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Do you have jewellery you no longer wear? Is your jewellery “tired” and in need of a re-vamp? Adorn will repair or totally re-model your existing jewellery to create a beautiful new piece. Why not create your own custom designed jewellery? From bangles to pendants, rings to earrings, we will help you through the design process to create a totally unique piece.

Handmade Gifts Adorn will create the perfect personalised gift for your loved ones that reflect their favourite pastime. • Made in silver, gold or platinum • Engraved with your personal message • Can be set with precious stones

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Here are some gifts we made recently: • Golf ball markers • Guitar plectrums • Bookmarks • Fishing hooks • Keyrings • Poker chips

David Sutcliffe, your local Goldsmith and owner of Adorn Jewellers, will give you free expert advice on all your jewellery needs.

Visit Adorn Jewellers for friendly, expert advice 155 High Street, New Malden or phone 020 8942 8767 www.adornjewellers.co.uk In-house Repairs & Commissions · Engraving · New & Antique Jewellery · Valuations · Watch/Clock Repairs · Trophies

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Parkin' some thoughts by Nick Hazell

Bah Humbug? My father had one Christmas tradition above all others. For him, the festive season was not truly underway until he had watched some variation or another of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”, whether that be one starring Alastair Sim or Kermit T Frog. In one of those productions and before embodying the spirit of the event he detests, Scrooge remarks “Every idiot who goes about with “Merry Christmas” on his lips should be boiled in his own pudding.” Now, I have to admit there have been times in the build up to the day itself where I have subscribed to this point of view, largely as a consequence of my being preoccupied with what seemed at the time to be pressing client work. Late November/December is traditionally a time for clients in my line of work to impose deadlines driven by their desire to make the turkey rather than sense. The effect of this on my preparation for and enjoyment of Christmas was not positive. Even now Mrs H likes to remind me of the infamous occasion where my lack of attention and planning placed me in Farnborough shortly before Christmas Day with its retail facilities providing my only opportunity for gift shopping. The choice was rather limited and the numerous and varied selection of orange scented bathroom products eventually offered up met with a mixture of bemusement, disbelief and scorn in that order. I’m pleased to say we overcame that minor detour down the road to Christmas ruin, but the annual competition between the forces of work and family were a constant pine needle in the bottom and take me back to where I started this piece. The tale of Ebenezer Scrooge was of a man who had narrowed his perspective and forgotten a true value in life. Material security had become his priority, for its own sake, while the love of friends and family were completely neglected. I wouldn’t say I’d gone that far, but looking back now I see there were some inconvenient similarities. Now of course, I look at things through a different lens; one that gives me an eye to a different perspective on the festive season. I still find the sound of Mariah Carey and Noddy Holder the seasonal equivalent of nails scraping down a blackboard and dread the prospect of trying to fit what looks like the contents

of two articulated lorries and a dog into one family vehicle. I am also resigned to yet another year of being held responsible for buying a tree that’s derided as being either too small, too tall, too bushy, too spindly, too dry, too brown or just too green. This year we’re spending it in the company of my family which has maintained one of my Father’s other Christmas traditions of being more excited about the day than the children in attendance. This leads to an obscenely early start and everyone (except the children) being drunk by 10.30am and hung-over by the Queen’s speech. It will be loud, there will be tensions caused by too many people and two boisterous dogs confined to close quarters with cream carpets, but the opportunity to spend the time with family and friends is now something I properly appreciate. Christmas Day will also be two and a half years to the day since I was diagnosed with PD. As I look back, I realise it has been a period full of introspection and re-evaluation as well as a fair bit of shuffling and it has changed my outlook on life. Yes, I’d rather not have it, but if there were to be a cure would I want to go back to how things were before? I don’t think so. To make a comparison with the fate of Jacob Marley, Scrooge’s late business partner, past behaviour can be a huge weight bound to you by an unbreakable chain. You can drag it with you, oblivious to what it is that holds you back or you can let it go and try to appreciate what and who is around you. I think I’ll be doing the latter. Merry Christmas!

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

A Photographer Dreams.... by Hugh Griffiths www.creativelight.org.uk It’s December, time for a bit of fun. My pictures this month have all seen a large amount of editing to create the effects that I was looking for. In my view,

showing off pictures that have been edited is no problem (although some disagree with me on this) so long as it is clear that they have been changed, or that you make it clear. For example, it is very possible to add a giraffe to a picture of an African sunset to re-create the iconic picture of the wild animal silhouetted against the setting sun – I’ve done it and it looks genuine, but it isn’t. I suspect that you would have guessed these three have been Photoshopped though … I was travelling back home one evening in December last year and had a bit of time to spare. So, I went up the stairs to the (almost) new balcony level and took a picture on my iPhone of the crowds below. Now that I’ve retired, it gives me a bit of a mean giggle when I see all those people doing what I have done for 40 + years. Commuting is not an over-rated pastime; it is never rated highly at all! The crowds, the hurry, the way no one is relating to anyone else, the stress of a long day, not yet over is all there. The Christmas tree in the centre of the concourse gives a welcome sense of joy and of hope for the future. A very needed contrast. The original picture was good – had all the content that I wanted, but it needed a bit of cropping to focus your attention on the people, and I then

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started playing with the editor. This effect was made with a filter in Photoshop (although months on, I can’t remember how or where I found it, bother!) and makes it much more painterly, with the characters slightly less realistic, and, in my view, making it into a more 1920’s type of scene. Feel free to criticise it – to form your own opinions. This next picture is one of a long series that I have been taking while walking my dog in Beverley Park. Winter sunrises happen at a civilised time of day – this was taken just after 8:15 one morning – and can sometimes give spectacular effects. The line of trees along the path are always interesting and their leafless-ness can make them seem more architectural and characterful. The sun is rising at the bottom towards the right of centre, illuminating the clouds and lighting up the sky. The clouds are really important: the picture would be much less interesting if there was a uniform layer of grey cloud or, indeed, if there was just blue sky. I hope that you get a sense of the dynamics of the scene with the clouds seeming to be pouring over the trees towards you, and the golden light silhouetting the trees beautifully. There was a low mist that morning, which you may be able

of the leaves and ferns. I like dead leaves anyway – particularly when they are stubbornly clinging to the branch months after they should have fallen to the floor – and have happy memories of pushing through the bracken when my children were small. And I’ve mentioned my colour blindness before, and that leads me to enjoy and notice patterns more than otherwise … so, this small patch of ground stood out for me. There were lots like it, but I liked this one. I used similar editing to that previous picture – making the edges sharper and more distinct, and then adding a large dollop of saturation to the image. So, it’s not exactly what I saw, but in my view, it communicates a sense of place and a feel of winter leaves. The frost helps, of course, and the predominantly cool colours

support that. So, this month, when you are walking off your Christmas pudding, recovering from the office party, feeling happy after dinner with friends, take some time to look around you and consider how you might take a great picture of something that everyone else had missed. to see, and the two dog walkers at the left of the image give some balance to the whole scene. I don’t think that it would have been anything like as interesting if they hadn’t been there … chance can play a large part in my photography! Oh, and the editing. Yes of course I did. This photo was effective on its own on my iPhone, but it benefited from my crisping it up and adding a bit of vibrancy to the light. It wasn’t really as gold as that. But that is the memory I want! The third picture captures a scene that is all over the place as the winter gets colder and dryer. The leaves have fallen and the ground, in the parks (maybe in your garden) can be a fruitful source of patterns and colour. Photographers are accused of all sorts of things, usually correctly, but they are used to noticing things that few other people see. And this is a fairly typical “photographer’s photograph” where there wasn’t much to see, but I noticed the floor and some nice patterns

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

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

Solutions

Quick Quiz

CodeWord

Left and Right 1. Her right hand 2. The left side 3. Ned Flanders 4. 9 and 0 5. Deeply Dippy 6. His left 7. Jimmy Cricket 8. Mike Weir 9. Their left 10. India Same Character, Different Actor 1. Thomas Crown 2. Catwoman 3. Doctor Dolittle 4. Pontius Pilate 5. Barney Rubble 6. Zorro 7. Dracula 8. Ann Darrow 9. Inspector Clouseau 10. God

WORDSEARCH Hidden phrase: Dancing is the poetry of the foot Â&#x2013; John Dryden

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Crossword

Pictograms 1. Behind The Times 2. Kiss Of Death 3. Kick In The Teeth

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Organisations Royal British Legion Malden & Coombe Branch December is now upon us and Christmas festivities around the corner so I’d like to look back on 2017 at Malden and Coombe Royal British Legion. We have sadly lost some long standing branch members. We have also had new members join us throughout the year, some taking a very active role on our committee and we thank them for their time. If you are already a member of The Legion, but not attached to Malden and Coombe, it will only cost £2.00 a year. Just contact the Gateway number at head office and they will do the necessary. Our meetings on 2nd Wednesday of each month at The Grafton Club are always lively, with a visit to the very reasonably price Grafton bar before and after meetings!! But as I have stated before, you do not need to attend meetings, nor be a member of the services. We got together in July for the Malden Fortnight with the float in the parade, talk in the Methodist Church and stall in the High Street, where we raised over £500! As a group, we have attended a BBQ at a members house, a music night and BBQ at The Grafton Club. We have a quiz planned and a Christmas Dinner. We have also attended short services to commemorate Battles of World War One. We have donated £2,000 which has been raised locally to local British Legion Centres. Thank you to all the Poppy Sellers this year and our organisers Tina and Steve, who have done a sterling job! Totals are not ready at time of printing but will be shown next month. Thank you for your generosity. We held a short service at 11th hour on 11th day on 11th Month and was even joined by a sheep called Amy! Thanks to those who attended. Our Parade was a wonderful success and would like to thank all those people, especially the children, who took part in the Parade on such a very cold day, to make this so special. The Guide and Scout band, Coombe Boys School Choir, The Girls Brigade, those that gave out programmes, Kelly and Paul at the flower stall, The Methodist Church, Waitrose, Kingston Rangers, Imagine and Malden and Coombe RBL members and New Malden Residents. We would like to thank local businesses for their support and of course Jenny and the Village Voice! May I take this opportunity to wish you all A Very

Happy Christmas from Malden and Coombe RBL. But most importantly a Healthy and Peaceful 2018, especially to our brave members of the Armed Services and local emergency services. RBL Gateway and membership contact number 0808 802 8080 local contact number 07572390203 TO THE MEMORY OF THE FALLEN AND THE FUTURE OF THE LIVING

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ABLE 2 BUILD & Sons ALL ASPECTS OF BUILDING WORK

0800 566 8198 • 07889 255 097 www.able2build.co.uk • info@able2build.co.uk 62

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New Look Department Store

020 8942 2277

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

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

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