Omni Local Kingston September 2015 by Omni Local

Supporting Local Business & Local Charities

Kingston Upon Thames Issue No. 35

Back to School Edition THIS MONTH • Tips on getting back into those habits • Enjoying the Autumn season • Plans for the coming Winter

www.omnilocal.co.uk • Edition 35

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OmniLocal - Kingston Upon Thames • September 2015

Hello everyone, Hi There! Summer is well and truly behind us all, and it feels like it’s over too soon! As the nights begin drawing in sooner, and the hint of the autumn season is upon us, it’s time to reflect on the happy days throughout the summer and all the wonderful events around Kingston; with the Kingston Carnival nicely wrapping up all the events. Kingston is a great place to be -rain or shine- in the summer, autumn and winter. But just as we end the summer, the World Cup kicks off! I love rugby and it’s awesome that we have a full programme of events being held in the neighbouring town of Twickenham. I am sure the whole area will be buzzing with people visiting our area for the first time. I am really looking forward to the games and the atmosphere it should bring. For us at Omni Local, we are now starting to put things together for the Kingston Comedy Festival, and we are looking to expand our business. At the moment we are looking for talented team members to join us as volunteers for the festival and someone to join us at Omni Local. If you know someone who is looking for a part time or full time job, or could help us with the festival, please ask them to call me on 07898 870 870. Next month we see the launch of our new look and feel directory. This will be the centre point of finding any local business which have been rated by local people. Watch this space for more details. I am going to close this month by saying thank you to (the new kids on the block at the Riverside Edge) Bagley & Shakespeare Seafood and Champagne bar, for the very generous competition prize this month on page 36! It’s only a shame I can’t enter myself! Many thanks for taking time to read Omni Local, and please stay safe! Kind regards John *COMPETITION WINNER* Congratulations to Dawn Whitcombe for winning the Meal for 2 at Busaba Eathai! Thank you for taking part! To see how you could win with Omni, please check page 36 for details, or why not like us on Facebook? OmniLocal Ltd. Office 3 - C/O Big Yellow Storage Units 1-3 Wyvern Estate, Beverley Way, New Malden, Surrey KT3 4PH Tel: 0207 183 0404 Email: sales.omnilocal@gmail.com

www.omnilocal.co.uk

Contents: Local Business Focus Direct Colour

Community Section 6-11 This Months Charity – Carers UK Community Person: Des Kay Love Kingston - Garmin Kingston Run Challenge Kingston Police Advice Kingston Tour Guides Care in the Community Spending Time with your Elders

Gardening Section Auntie Planty’s Gardening Mailbag

DIY Section Jobs to do Around the Home

Learning Section Advice from NumberWorks’n’Words

Cooking Corner Homemade Tomato Soup

Kids Section The Peer Massage Project

This Months Special Feature Beat those Back to School Blues

20-21

Places to Go Rose Theatre Listings Local Events At the Cinema – Masterminds Out Now on DVD – Fast & the Furious 7

22-25

Health and Beauty Section Hair Colour Change-ups

Family Section Keeping the Kids Motivated

Local Trades Section Use One of our Excellent Local Trades

Motoring Section Interior Car Care

Business Section Words from David Wimblett - 7 Training

Property Section Advice from Alex Clark

Games & Puzzles Section Crossword Sudoku Word Search Monthly Competition

34-36

LOCAL JOBS

www.omnilocal.co.uk • Edition 35

STILL WAITING FOR BUSINESS TO COME TO YOU ? DO SOMETHING AND A D V E R T I S E IF YOU DON’T YOUR COMPETITORS WILL.

Call us now 020 7183 0404

OmniLocal - Kingston Upon Thames • September 2015

LOCAL BUSINESS

This section is all about local business

Supplied by: Leanna Carl and Mark Attwater

owners who support Omni Local, and we would like you to get to know these hard working, dedicated people. This month I am talking to Mark Attwater, partner at award winning printer, Direct Colour Ltd in Chessington. Q1: So Mark, how long has Direct Colour been in business now? A1: Hi, Direct Colour is seven this year! But the original company started in 1923! Q2: Have you been in this line of work for a while?

A6: In short? Our attitude. The customer

A2: I started in this industry as a post

is not a number, we have great working

graduate in 1995. Feels like yesterday!

relationships with our clients and they trust us to get it right.

Q3: What interested you most about this

Q7: You’ve definitely been supportive

type of career?

towards Omni Local, even helping with last

A3: At the time, a company car and an

year’s comedy festival! Are you likely to get

expense account! Now I actually enjoy the

involved again this year?

cut and thrust of this very competitive but

A7: Yes, of course! Kingston is a great place

interesting industry.

to live and work. We support our community

Q4: What types of services do you provide?

wherever we can and encourage others to

A4: We are a lithographic printer, specialising in larger runs of magazines & brochures. But

use local business wherever possible. Q8: Brilliant! And finally, do you have any

we also offer design facilities & mailing. In short, we manage people’s print & marketing

special offers or suggestions for our readers?

campaigns from start to finish. Large or

A8: Use a local business and take time to get

small.

to know your suppliers or clients personally. It’s amazing what deals and discounts can

Q5: Do you cover many locations?

be done with a phone call or a face to face

A5: Worldwide. We just sent print to Rodeo

meeting. Try it with us!

Drive, Beverly Hills!

For more information and to seek help from

Q6: Wow! So what else sets Direct Colour

Direct Colour, visit directcolour.com or refer

apart from similar businesses?

to their advert opposite! 5

www.omnilocal.co.uk • Edition 35

LOVE KINGSTON

Garmin Kingston Run Challenge

Supplied by: Elaine Miller - Love Kingston

We are a team of five friends, who all have different running abilities. We happen to be work colleagues at Saipem Ltd – a marine services company based in Kingston. We would like to give something back to the community, so we have decided to run 16 miles in the Garmin Kingston Run Challenge on October 11th in aid of the LOVE KINGSTON campaign. Love Kingston is an exciting charitable venture that responds over time to the changing needs of local people. There are over 400 inspiring organisations run by dedicated individuals, achieving extraordinary things with very limited resources throughout the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames.

We hope that we also inspire others in the community to support Love Kingston. The Garmin Kingston Run is based within Kingston and the Thames towpath. After 27 successful years, the bigger, better challenge will be returning again this October to break some more records and hopefully even surpass last year’s achievements with even longer distances.

For many, the future depends on securing small, but vital amounts of funding to reach individuals and communities in need. We share their vision of a strong and generous community – where residents, businesses, community groups and the government act collectively to create a fair and equitable society for all who live and/or work in the borough. The photo shows 4/5th of our team - Hugh Thomas, Linda Hadri, Michelle Fahy and Matthew Thomson, prior to a morning training run, outside our offices on Tuesday at 07:30 am (talk about dedication!). There is thankfully no “after” photo available as we all looked rather bedraggled! The missing runner, Ben Stokes, who encouraged us all to take part, is on annual leave, but we know he is training hard (in spirit) with us. We will continue to put ourselves through a very gruelling training programme to be able to achieve our goal of completing the 16 mile run and raise as much money as we can.

This event is great for all - taking part on a fast, flat course by the river Thames and Hampton Court Palace; offering ideal marathon training; putting all your summer training sessions to the test, and all with free Garmin hire and electronic chip timing systems to let you know via SMS when races are completed. With scenic views and the support of Nuffield Health Surbiton - put your mind and body to the test for a good cause, and earn your medal with Garmin Kingston Run! To find out more about the cause, visit www. love-kingston.org.uk

OmniLocal - Kingston Upon Thames • September 2015

COMMUNITY PERSON

Des Kay

Supplied by: Des Kay - Save the World Club

Walking up Kingston Hill, you’ll see a whimsical forest of carved wooden artefacts fixed on to a wooden hoarding. Called, “Adventures in Woodland,” it is the brainchild of guerilla artist/environmentalist Des Kay. First installed by Des and friends in 2012 to mask the renovation of the old nurse’s hostel, it is now the backdrop of the Olympic cycle route. “We expected a removal, but it stayed when Chris Hoy and his team sped by, and it is now admired by many of the Hospital staff,” says Des. Three years on, it still entertains passers-by. “Some parts get taken as souvenirs and I add new art works as I discover discarded artefacts, when rescuing objects destined for landfill.” These “rescues” are the underlying push that drive his life’s work. Des collects and redistributes waste food from two local outlets, delivering to refugees, hostels and homeless projects; liberating wasted goods and chattels, and bringing them back to life. Growing up in the 60s, absorbing the peace and love ethos, he understands the importance of loving the planet. Reading Rachael Carson’s ‘Silent Spring’ he foresaw many of the problems we face today. His life’s work is to promote awareness of our fragile ecosystem. In 1985 he had all this on his mind, whilst sitting in a coach on his way to perform at the Edinburgh Festival, devising the name, ‘Save the World Club’ as an umbrella term for the struggling environmentalists he was networking with.

His latest wacky bicycle display is awaiting the most consumer orientated time of year, Christmas! Travelling to major shopping precincts around the country to promote “an odyssey into the world of sensible purchases,” otherwise known as STOPSHOP. He piloted his exhibit last Christmas with the support of Transition Town Kingston and hopes the TT network will assist in highlighting the connection between consumerism and our carbon footprint. He co-founded the highly successful ‘Kingston Green Fair’ in Canbury Gardens that 10,000 revellers attended, which ran for 21 years. “By bringing creative elements from festival circuits and local talent, people could see the potential of the DIY culture in finding solutions.” “Sometimes we have to rely on our conscience to do the right thing, and the environmental consequences of Corporate greed must be highlighted. When the groundswell is large enough, the goalposts get moved, but sometimes we need to take actions outside the framework of conformity. Every individual is responsible in ensuring an optimal environment for generations to come. I hope I can inspire others to help create a more sustainable future - and, perhaps decorate the odd hoarding.”

After 30 years of successful projects, the now charitable organisation has worked with schools and the local community to create mosaic murals around Kingston. He travels the country with environmental shows and walkabouts, promoting self-empowerment, stewardship and harmony with nature; performing his kid’s comedy show at the Rose Theatre last year as Professor Kayoss.

www.professorkayoss.co.uk

www.omnilocal.co.uk • Edition 35

CARE IN THE COMMUNITY

THIS MONTH’S Supplied by: Leanna Carl - Omni Local CHARITY

That All-Important Family Time Although now is the time for the little ones to get back to books, bells and backpacks, it is still very important that we make time for the whole family this time of year. No doubt with Summer ending and holidays put to bed, everyone will probably start to feel the great decrease in family fun times such as the ones they’ve had during the holidays. Now is a great time to spend more time conversing and checking in with

of tea and a catch up on whichever week day

each other, because there is even more

suits you best.

opportunity to share news and events with

One of the ways I conserve my time if, and

each other after being thrown back into the

allow for a little quality time with loved

outside world and enveloped in knowledge

ones (I have a busy weekend or a lot of

and fascinating work stories.

work during the week) is taking an hour or

A definite thing to remember is that

more after work to meet family members

grandparents aren’t just the people you visit

on a Monday or Wednesday at our local

and invite over for the holidays, so pay them

supermarket, having a catch up and a coffee

a visit and give your kids a chance to show

at the cafe and doing our shop for the week.

them all the great things they’ve been doing

We get to catch up on eachother’s weekends,

at school upon returning after the holidays.

work days and whatever interests us, then

Guaranteed, your elders will definitely get a

we get to plan for the weeknights and find

kick out of hearing what the little ones have

out if any one is coming over for dinner, then

been up to and seeing a few of their recent

we do a nice easy shop together.

works, which will also provide a certain level

It doesn’t really matter what you do during

of confidence in your children.

the months of being back at work, but if

For some, it can be hard finding time on

you can set aside just a little time to get in

the weekends for everyone, but there are

touch with relatives or friends, it can really

plenty of ways you can still get together in

cushion the blow of being back in your

the evenings – from helping your children

hectic routines and stressful schedules, not

with their homework and playing educational

to mention, it will definitely show them that

games, to having a family dinner day or cup

you care.

OmniLocal - Kingston Upon Thames • September 2015

Welcome to Carers UK Ambassador, Anne Blanche is a local resident who has been associated with Carers UK for over 30 years. It is the 50th anniversary of Carers UK and Anne hopes to raise the profile of UNPAID carers in the Borough, by getting help and information to those who need it.

LOCAL CHARITY

THIS MONTH’S Supplied by: Anne Blanche - Carers UK CHARITY

Carers UK presents all kinds of challenges, from filling in forms to coping with stress and emotions. Every day they hear from people who need help. Some may be new to caring and struggling to navigate the maze of services and information, or needing support to cope with the pressures of caring. Carers UK’s mission is to make life better for carers and to work towards a society which values, respects and supports carers. Carers UK provides:Expert advice, information and support Connects carers so no one has to care alone Campaigns together for lasting improvements and change Innovates to find new ways to reach out and support carers If you are looking after someone, or if you want to use your experience in caring to help others, join us. As a member you will get:-

who do not realise or accept that they are carers and are not counted at present. They too have rights under the new Care Act which gives carers a right (in law) to have an assessment of their needs. To achieve all of this I am working with many organisations in Kingston, including Healthwatch, the independent statutory consumer champion for both Health and Social services. It ensures people’s views are listened to and presses for improvement in local services.” Healthwatch is calling all carers to speak out about issues that affect you or the person you care for. You are invited to attend a special carers event on WEDNESDAY 16th September 2-4.30 pm in the Quaker Centre, Fairfield East KT1 2PT.

A UK wide movement of carers supporting each other and pressing for lasting changes A Free guide to caring. A quarterly magazine with latest news, information and campaign updates

“I urge as many of you who can, to come. I shall be there too and hope to meet as many carers as I can. (If you do not want to go hungry!) Please confirm you will attend to Sophie Bird on 020 8974 6629.

Support from other carers. A say in the future of the organisation. In addition to all the online services, there is also a FREE Mon-Fri helpline.

If for any reason you cannot attend on that day, do contact me and I will ensure that you are told about any future relevant events. My contact details are: Tel: 020 8546 2572. Email: anne.blanche@carersuk.net

Anne says, “I have already identified many issues in the area and am working hard to raise awareness of carers in the Borough. I also hope to identify hidden carers, i.e. those

www.omnilocal.co.uk • Edition 35

POLICE ADVICE

Hello Readers!

Supplied by: Alison McWhinnie

I was delighted when John Gower asked me to write a regular policing page for Omni Local. Let me introduce myself! As well as volunteering for Kingston Police, my roles include being the Vice Chair of the Kingston Safer Neighbourhood Board, Chair of Kingston Borough Neighbourhood Watch, organising events and rolling out Business Watch across the Borough. Did you know that Kingston is one of the safest boroughs in the Met.? We want to keep it that way and are proactively working hard to do so. For example, since Summer 2014 we have been rolling out ‘Business Watch’. If you have not already signed up; please do join us! We are interested in hearing from all kinds of businesses from all sectors, including shops, offices and home businesses. Business crime can affect the bottom line of any type of business.

Kingston Police are also on social media. Visit their facebook page, which leads to their YouTube and Twitter (@MPSKingston) accounts. From the YouTube channel take a tour of Kingston Custody and see what it is like responding to a 999 call – from inside a police vehicle!

Benefits at a glance: • Free to join • Free access to the DISC system – a secure information sharing intranet for crime reduction. • Free crime trend alerts • Free crime prevention advice. • Know your local police team and how you can contact them Interested? Do email me at: Alison.J.McWhinnie2@Met.Police.uk with your name and business address.

Do email me if you would like to attend any of our events. Join us for the Safer Surbo Supper on Friday 11th September at Glenmore House (renowned for its fabulous food) http://www.surbitonfestival.co.uk/. On Wednesday 16th September, we launch ‘The Real Professionals’ series of interviews at Maple Works in Surbiton. Live interviews with London’s top cops, hosted by Sam Devereaux. First in the hot seat is Kingston’s very own Chief Superintendent Glenn Tunstall! Find out first hand what it is like to be a Borough Commander and a top cop in the Met. Would you like some expert personal safety tips to help you stay safe in a variety of situations? Then our Staying Safe Event at 10am for 10.15am on Saturday 3rd October 2015 at St Mark’s Church Hall is for you!

Kingston Borough Business Watch is also on social media: Twitter - @KBBusinessWatch Facebook - www.facebook.com/ KingstonBoroughBusinessWatch

See you next month!

OmniLocal - Kingston Upon Thames • September 2015

Back to School!

LOCAL HISTORY Supplied by: Mike Seigel - Kingston Tour Guides

This is the time of year that many schoolchildren dread (and some parents cannot wait for!) when a new academic year begins. Kingston has many schools, the oldest of which are Kingston Grammar and the Tiffin schools. Kingston Grammar is an independent coeducational day school, founded by Elizabeth I in 1561. However, the school can trace its roots back to the 13th century, and there are references to schoolmasters such as Gilbert de Southwell in 1272, described as “Rector of the Schools in Kingston”. The Lovekyn Chapel is the oldest part of the school, founded by Edward Lovekyn in 1309. Lovekyn provided for the wedding feast of Edward I to Margaret of France 10 years earlier - but was never paid! His son Edward II then allowed Lovekyn to build the chantry chapel in return for waiving the bill. The school still makes good use of the chapel for its own purposes, as well as hiring it out as a wedding venue. The school became a direct grant grammar school in 1946, following the Education Act 1944, and became independent in 1978 after the scheme was abolished by the Labour Government. In the same year, the first girls were introduced.

In 1874, plans were therefore drawn up for two new schools: Tiffin Boys’ School and Tiffin Girls’ School, each taking 150 pupils. A single building by Fairfield housing both schools was opened in January 1880.

KGS celebrated the 400th anniversary of its founding charter in 1961 with a visit from the Queen. Then in 2005 Her Majesty revisited the school to open the Queen Elizabeth II Building, where she unveiled a plaque.

In 1929 the Boys’ School moved to Queen Elizabeth Road, becoming a grammar school under the Education Act 1944. The school changed from being voluntary-controlled to being grant-maintained in 1992 and in July 2011 the school achieved Academy status. In 1937, a new building was opened for the Girls’ School for 480 pupils on Richmond Road. Both schools are thriving and demand for places is intense. Their badge shows the three salmon emblem, which can be seen all over Kingston.

Two prosperous brewers from Kingston, brothers John and Thomas Tiffin, left money in their wills in 1638 for the education of local children. At first the money was used for scholarships at local schools. However, the fund grew so much through investment returns and donations that by the 1820s nearly 110 children were benefiting from it.

To learn more about any of Kingston’s history, why not join one of our tours, led by specially trained volunteers? These meet in the market place outside the church gates at 11.00 am every Sunday in summer and then from October on every first Sunday of the month until March. The charge is £5 per adult, and we also happily cater for private groups at other times during the week, provided that we are given sufficient notice. For further information please ring 020 8399 0160.

www.omnilocal.co.uk • Edition 35

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OmniLocal - Kingston Upon Thames • September 2015

GARDENING SECTION

Auntie Planty’s Gardening Mailbag

Supplied by: Valerie Munro - Auntie Planty

Q1: Last year I deliberately painted a line of trellis in a rich cherry red colour to match a rather nice purple-leafed tree over-hanging from the neighbour’s garden. Sadly it has now died, and I would like to replace it with a similarly coloured plant. A1: The same thing happened to me, and the problem I had was finding a replacement that didn’t take up too much space. A plant courtesy of a neighbour gave me all the height and colour I needed without taking up any ground space in my yard. My suggestion would be Berberis thunbergii ‘Atropurpurea’ which you could prune back hard to the fence line, if space is an issue. Q2: Where is the best place to set up a bird table?? A2: If you want to enjoy the sight of these garden visitors, put the table where you can watch it in comfort. If there are any cats in the neighbourhood, then the best place is right in the middle of the lawn, far away from fences and other cat launching pads. The most important thing to remember is that if you start to put out food, you must do it regularly. The birds will come to rely on you, especially in the dark and cold winter months. Q3: I have had a lavender plant in my garden for about 3 years, and it has never flowered. What can I do about it? A3: I would suggest that you may have been feeding with a nitrogen-rich fertiliser, and would recommend one that is higher in potassium. If you read the label, you will see the NPK values; you need one that is higher in K than the other two. Although it is now a little late to be thinking about fertilising, do remember this for next spring. If that doesn’t work next year, just dig it up and replace it with a new plant!

Q4: I have an east-facing wall in my garden and am wondering if a winter jasmine would grow well there? A4: No, and jasmine is not the only plant that should be kept away from east walls; camellia and magnolias would also suffer. Even in the UK’s short bursts of winter sunlight, the warmth of the morning sun would bring about a swift thaw after a night of frost, and turn the flowers brown. Only on a north wall will the plant be able to thaw slowly and safely each day. In addition, the extra shade provided by a north wall encourages it to grow taller.

www.omnilocal.co.uk • Edition 35

DIY SECTION

Handy Headboard Tips Some beds come with a headboard, some don’t. For many, there’s no preference, as long as its propped against a wall anyway. Sometimes however, it is more convenient to have a headboard, so that you can pull your bed away from the wall a few inches, maybe it sits too close to your radiator? If you would like to give your bed a hint of style, or you feel it would benefit from a heightened edge, here are some tips on where to start: Choose your wood. Most headboards are wooden, however you can also opt for metals such as tin roofing material, or even use chalkboard and give yourself a giant handy notepad to jot down memos, special occasions or even little notes for your loved ones? If you are opting for wood, you can always recycle by using things like doors old tables, a simple piece of plywood and so on – after all, you’ll need a big piece to create the headboard.

Supplied by: Leanna Carl - Omni Local

If you’re really handy with a saw, you can create a stylish shape to your headboard, with decorative curves and slopes.

Select any other materials needed. If you’re opting for comfort and style too, remember to purchase some soft padding and upholstering material too, such as foam or a standard mattress topper and some nice polyester cloth in your preferred style. Why not create a headboard to coordinate with your room decor?

Create padding and upholstering (if applicable). Place your choice of padding (if you are using any) over the headboard and trace the outline, then cut to fit exactly, and secure onto the board so it doesn’t move, using glue. When cutting your covering material, make sure it is bigger than the outline of your headboard, to leave room for stapling onto the back of the headboard; up to 5 inches should work well.

Cut the wood to the dimensions needed. Measure the width of your bed and mark it on the piece of wood, and don’t be afraid to leave a little extra length if you’re unsure – better to cut a little more off than to have no way of adding length later. You may even be able to have a professional cut the wood for you when buying from a hardware store.

Secure. Pull the fabric until taut, then staple to secure it an inch or two from the edges, and continue around headboard until you are confident it will remain steady. If you’d like to neaten the excess material, simply tuck it underneath and smooth down. You can iron out your headboard if it looks a little wrinkled.

OmniLocal - Kingston Upon Thames • September 2015

September, Time for New Years Resolutions...

LEARNING SECTION Supplied by: Celia Osbourne NumberWorks’n’Words

All homework done by 6; daily regimes of times tables, number bonds, reading and spelling; not to mention music practice and nutritious meals! Come off it, it’s not going to happen! Remember, you can only focus on a couple of things at a time. This term, is it going to be getting reading going, or writing? Tables or number bonds? Homework or music practice? Each one takes forward planning and organisation. Discuss these resolutions with your children. What do they think would help them most this year? Getting them onside (with possibly a reward at the end of each week) is often half the battle. Here’s some suggestions for primary aged children:

of cards could make this more of a game? Older children are always more difficult to convince, but instituting a daily look at their homework diary helps everyone to forward plan and keep on top of things. However, after 20 to 30 minutes concentration, most children have had enough and need downtime.

A few minutes work with a drink and a biscuit, plus 100% attention as soon as you get in is worth 2 hours work later on when the telly or computer challenges your mind. For younger children, this involves an adult working with them. So leave the dinner till later, or start it early and put it on hold. With older children, an adult close by to help and encourager is vital, so keep them in the kitchen with you - far better than doing homework in their own room. Keep goals small. For those who find them hard, 2 x tables learned properly in half a term is much better than struggling with one per week. This gives time to learn and over learn before moving on (and still means 6 per year). For those who need to learn in tiny chunks, introduce 2 new facts per day and continue to revise facts already known. Practise spellings 3 times per week (not just once) and revise them 2 weeks later. Don’t forget to revise addition and subtraction facts to 20. Amazing how many children know their tables well, but still need to add 12 and 6 on their fingers. Maybe using dice or a pack 15

Remember, numberworks ‘n’ words is here to help. If you are focusing on the reading, we can help with the maths, and vice versa. We provide targeted work with loads of 1 to 1 support for children of all ages and levels of ability. Activities are varied and there are no distractions, so children can keep focused for a whole hour. What’s more, they really enjoy coming along. So if this year, you want your child to get to grips with maths concepts or get over literacy hurdles, give us a call. If you want to push them on, ready for 11 plus, sats or gcse, then we’re ready to help.

www.omnilocal.co.uk • Edition 35

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OmniLocal - Kingston Upon Thames • September 2015

Tips for Keeping up at Home Everyone is settling into their usual routines once again, both getting back to education and heading into work, so we all have a lot on our plates. Sometimes we find that the house suffers as a result – no longer can you find a nice opened up Sunday afternoon to get things sorted, and timekeeping is a real issue. Make things easier by getting organised and avoiding overworking. Don’t let clutter become a problem! Its so easy to let things get out of hand and become a bit of a hoarder, I myself am guilty of doing the same thing at times! If you make a point of setting aside a day every couple of weeks, or monthly if you prefer, to have a think about what still gets used and what is just a waste of space in your drawers or cupboards. You could start a Christmas fund early and get some of those overlooked belongings on trading sites like Ebay, or have a boot sale? You never know what treasures you’ve got hiding around the house, and where there are a pairs of shoes you never wear, there may be a real find for someone, somewhere else. Auctions sometimes offer free listing too, so you can always pick a free day to add your items online, in whatever way suits you best. Some people find these sort of auction listings a little high maintenance in terms of management, but when you get into the swing of it you can even get it set up for weekend check ups only. If you’d prefer not to sell your old goods, why not take them to your local charity shop? Try starting a job rota system. Especially if you have children, or you live with friends, a

HOME SECTION Supplied by: Leanna Carl - Omni Local

system such as this can really come in handy to make sure everyone is doing their part, in a way that suits their lifestyle. Knowing each other’s routines allows you to get help without putting anyone out, or you can each pick which of the coming weeks works best for you, and everyone does their share in turns. If you’re doing one for the kids, why not offer pocket money rewards for jobs they tick off? Make it more fun by using a sticker system if possible (the more stickers they collect, the more pocket money, tougher jobs get more stickers, etc). This helps you keep on top of things, and gives them a little insight into what its like to earn for themselves, which is always a good life lesson and experience. If you’re worried about finding enough change to reward your children, why not treat them in some other way, eg. let them choose what’s for dinner? It sounds simple, and it is, but it’ll definitely help keep everyone in high spirits and won’t let all the hardwork fall onto you.

www.omnilocal.co.uk • Edition 35

The Cooking Corner Tomato Soup Serves 6-8 Ingredients: • 2 tbsp olive oil • 2 onions, coarsely chopped • 1 garlic clove, crushed • 1¼ litres chicken/veg stock • 800g organic chopped tomatoes • 3 bay leaves • 4 tbsp green pesto • fresh basil to garnish Method: 1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan, add the onions and garlic, and cook gently for a few minutes, stirring from time to time, until soft but not coloured. 2. Pour in the stock, add the tomatoes, their juice and the bay leaves. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer for 20 minutes. 3. Discard the bay leaves. Purée the soup in a food processor or with a hand blender until smooth. 4. Return the soup to the pan, add the pesto, and heat through, seasoning to taste. 5. Serve at once, garnished with basil leaves. Nutritional value (100ml): Carbohydrates: 12 Vegetable portion: 1 18

Leonie Wright runs EatWright and is a nutritional coach, speaker and author of the no added sugar recipe book, CookWright. She is passionate about informing, motivating and encouraging people to look at food as a way of improving their health, fitness and waistline. She offers a 6 week healthy eating plan, healthy lunch and dinner talks and 2 online courses. For more information, and to order Leonie’s recipe book, visit www.eatwright.co.uk

This article was supplied by Leonie Wright from Eat Wright.

OmniLocal - Kingston Upon Thames • September 2015

KIDS SECTION IT’S COOL TO BE CALM IN KINGSTON

CALLING ALL PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN, PARENTS AND CARERS! BOOK YOUR AUTUMN WORKSHOP NOW* LEARN VALUABLE LIFE SKILLS TO HELP CHILDREN AT SCHOOL, AT HOME AND YOU AT WORK! As hectic schedules begin again in September and the new autumn term begins at school, emotions can be mixed for both children and parents alike. Excitement, relief, anxiety, trepidation, tiredness… …a bubbling concoction of moods that can raise tempers and upset children’s sensitive circadian rhythms. How can you and your child cope calmly, soothing and mellowing moods to sail through September and beyond, feeling in control and happy, ready to face the frazzles of phrenetic, family life? There is a solution! Come to an amazing Parent and Child Positive Touch Workshop run by Carole McGrath, founder of The Peer Massage Project. Take some time out with your child and learn some truly valuable life skills to promote calmness and relaxation in both body and mind. Help your child benefit from massage stories that have a cross-curricular impact, tying in with literacy, science and humanities, linked to the National Curriculum in Primary schools. Back up your newly acquired knowledge with inspirational CD’s with simple step-by-step instructions to help you on your journey! Positive Touch reaches out to schools in Kingston and beyond! Positive Touch is spreading it’s way through Kingston Primary schools where children, teachers, parents and carers are really seeing and feeling the benefits. Amazing schools such as Grand Avenue,

Tolworth Infants and Juniors, Coombe Hill Infants, Alexandra Infants, Green Lane Primary, Latchmere and Meadlands And many more support and endorse The Peer Massage Project, Positive Touch Programme. Feedback from parents and children after workshops “Phenomenal!” “Great, excellent!” “I had the best quality time with my son!” “Lovely to take time out of busy lives to spend quality time with your child!” “Excellent, very informative, helpful wind down!” “I think massage is good for you because if you have had an argument at break, it helps you calm down and forget the argument that you had.” “I think that massage is a great skill to learn because it’s really calming and you help other people.”

So don’t delay! Join a workshop today! SIMPLE, TRIED AND TESTED WITH POSITIVE RESULTS. *Normal price £20 for parent and child! Contact carole@peermassageproject.co.uk or call 07802241308

READERS OF OMNI LOCAL MENTION THIS ARTICLE AND GET A 50% DISCOUNT ON A WORKSHOP!

www.peermassageproject.co.uk

www.omnilocal.co.uk • Edition 35

SPECIAL FEATURE

Beat Those Back to School Blues!

Supplied by: Leanna Carl - Omni Local

As holidays end, and temperatures drop, routines are setting in again (sorry for the reminder!). However, there is a lot to look forward to this time of year! The heat is finally being turned down. Following the sunny months (all excluding those odd rainy spells) the heat has left a lot of us feeling tuckered out, short-tempered and possibly sunburnt! Now, we can enjoy the coming Autumn - with crisp, cool evenings and some great fashion swap-overs. No doubt, we’ll miss the opportunity to hit the beach, but with the holiday months out of the way and the office doors blowing back open, I’m sure we’ll all feel the simple joy of mild temperatures at work. The real joy sets in when you start walking through those crunchy Autumn leaves and begin planning for the chilly months. Schools back on! Sadly, the opportunity is fading a little when it comes to spending quality time vacationing with your little ones and having to worry less about timekeeping – but lets face it, with schools out and the kids looking for some fun in the sun, you probably haven’t gotten a lay in for quite some time anyway! With the little ones back at school, they’ll be soaking up lots of knowledge, catching up with friends, and giving you the opportunity

for a little more me-time. This isn’t to say that there will be tons of free time, or that us grown-ups won’t have to get back to work, but it does mean a little less time entertaining the little ones, and more early nights/rises (hopefully!). Special occasions! Excluding Birthdays, Anniversaries and other special events that may be held a little more privately, now comes the time where those traditional and International holidays come about. First on the list – Halloween! Following old stories about ghosts and ghouls, its mainly just a reason for people to be whatever they want to be and for the kiddies to pig out on “Trick or Treating” loot, which doesn’t sound bad to me! Everyone, everywhere gets to show their creative side, scare the living daylights out of each other, or throw a party! At home, we have a tendency to go the whole nine yards, meaning tacky bats, ghosts and pumpkin decorations, monster-themed playlists and party snacks, spooky lighting and costume contests – you’re never too old to appreciate a good themed party! Now is a great time to get planning, especially when costume shopping online.

OmniLocal - Kingston Upon Thames • September 2015

Kingston Carnival is Back! It has returned to spread smiles and excitement throughout the area and provide a lot of fun activities for residents and visitors. Fun for all the family, full of local talent, and supported by the Environment Centre in New Malden, there has been a lot of anticipation over this year’s comeback. We will finally see the market place packed with people as they participate in one of Kingston’s favourite events! Previous events held have included live music and performances, as well as some fantastic artists and DJing sets. The Rose Theatre have also played a large part in the Kingston Carnival with children’s workshops, and plenty of games and activities have been available for the kids in the Memorial Gardens and at the All Saints Church. There’s a lot more fun on the way! If you aren’t around to appreciate this year’s Carnival or don’t celebrate Halloween –

remember, there is plenty more fun to come! Just around the corner comes the Laugh Kingston Comedy Festival (this year held in November), as well as Guy Fawkes Night, (which means firework displays!) and soon enough – Christmas! We still have a few months until these events actually come around, but there is no reason we can’t start revelling in the excitement already – or start putting a little bit of money away to fund the big events!

www.omnilocal.co.uk • Edition 35

EVENT LISTINGS

Local Events Try Energy Healing & Reiki (Every Thursday afternoon) Donations Welcome Energising the body, releasing tension and stimulating self-healing with experienced and qualified therapists. All welcome from 1:30pm - 3:30pm. Call 07814 914 163 or pop into the Healing Trust for more information. Location: 2nd Floor, United Reform Church, Eden Street, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey KT1 1HZ (opposite old post office) Argentine Tango Classes and Dancing (Every Wednesday until 16th December 2015) £5pp for dancing only, £10pp for evening class + dancing Experienced teachers Leonardo and Tracey share their techniques through fun, enjoyable classes to suit all levels. Call 07702 081 529 or visit www.tangofandango.co.uk/kingston.html for more information Location: Kingston Workmen’s Club & Institute, 25 Old London Road, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey KT2 6ND Friday Rhymetime (Every Friday until 16th December 2015) Free entry From 10.30am - 11.00am. A half hour session full of rhymes, songs and stories for newborns to three year olds. All welcome. Location: New Malden Library, Kingston Road, New Malden, Surrey KT3 3LY Get back to work Group (Every Thursday until 17th December 2015) Free entry From 10.30am - 12.00pm. In partnership with Jobcentre Plus and supervised by Jobcentre staff - job searching and application, CV (writing, access to basic skills training and more for job seekers, incorporating an IT drop-in session for PC queries. Call 020 8547 5006 for details Location: New Malden Library, Kingston Road, New Malden, Surrey KT3 3LY Outside the Box Comedy Club (Every Other Monday from 8th May 2015) 22

See website for prices Showcasing the best UK and International comedians, including some huge TV names. Previous acts have included Bill Bailey, Jimmy Carr and Robin Williams. Book tickets at: www. outsidetheboxcomedy.co.uk Location: The Fighting Cocks Pub, 56 Old London Road, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey KT2 6QA Live Music at Al Forno (Every Friday) All welcome Al Forno in Kingston upon Thames are holding fabulous nights of music, dancing, great food and cocktails. Call 020 8439 7555 or visit www. alfornokingston.co.uk for more information. Location: Al Forno Kingston, 1-2-3a Townsend Parade, Kingston High Street, Surrey KT1 1LY The Jungle Body KONGA Class (Every Thursday) (£2.50 for beginners, £5 onwards) From 5:45pm each Thursday, you can join Calasara Fitness in exciting full body workouts that include Tyga, Konga, Jagua and Vypa. (Remember to bring drinking water and an exercise mat/towel). Call 07950 747 983 or visit www. calasarafitness.co.uk for more information. Location: Kingfisher Leisure Centre, Fairfield Road, Kingston, Surrey KT1 2PY A Gift of Happiness (From Thursday 1st October 2015) (Nominal £10 administration fee only) To celebrate their 20th anniversary, Registered Educational Charity Practical Philosophy invite you to join a 10 week course to help you enjoy life, live in the NOW, and turn your problems into opportunities. Please enrol in advance by calling 07779 036 111 or at www. practicalphilosophykingston.org Locations: The Cambrian Community Centre, 1 Grove Road, Richmond TW10 6SN John Lewis Community Room, Wood Street, Kingston, Surrey KT1 1TY

OmniLocal - Kingston Upon Thames • September 2015

More Jobs for your Interior

MOTORING SECTION Supplied by: Leanna Carl-Omni Local

Many interior jobs tend to be forgotten, and there’s no reason they shouldn’t be seen to from time to time. Think about it - it has been said that mobile phones can tons of germs (something else we forget to clean) - so why would your steering wheel and dashboard be so different?

Remember the cabin air filter

Everything builds up dust and dirt over time, and when thinking back, when was the last time you gave your car a sprucing? Below are some ideas on how to keep your interior clean and safe for you and your passengers. Clean and polish all interior plastic From the dashboard to the centre console, door handles to the glovebox - using a barely moist cloth, you can pick up a surprising amount of dirt. Give it a nice shine with a multi-surface polish, but avoid spraying directly onto the surface. Use a nice soft brush or rag to buff and wipe down surfaces. Clean the windows from the inside Using a standard window cleaner and a cloth should do the job. To avoid drips inside the car, it may be worth opening the doors outward before you begin. Try to avoid spraying or wiping over the defogger lines on the rear window, as they can be damaged quite easily. Check your air conditioner Sometimes air conditioner drain tubes can become clogged and cowl panels get blocked with leaves and other natural debris. The combination of old bacteria and moisture can sometimes emit a bit of a mildew-y scent. If you start to pick up on the damp odours, you can purchase odour treatments from a diy store, or ask a vehicle specialist on your next check-up/oil change to take a look at the air conditioner drain tube. 23

This is another area that gets neglected and can develop unpleasant smells when they become clogged with leaves or dust. If the cabin air filter needs replacing, you can do so yourself, but bear in mind that some are located behind the glove box and others below the dashboard on the passenger side, or under the hood. Filters under the dashboard can be easily removed without tools, but hood filters may require removing some additional parts. Contact professionals like Auto Refinish for more car care advice and mobile repairs (see advert below).

www.omnilocal.co.uk • Edition 35

THE WARS OF THE ROSES Wed 16 Sep to Sat 31 Oct Adapted from Shakespeare’s Henry VI Parts I, II, III and Richard III by John Barton in collaboration with Peter Hall. Epic, enthralling, extraordinary. This autumn the Rose stage will be transformed into a battleground for The Wars of the Roses, a gripping distillation of four of Shakespeare’s history plays, directed by Trevor Nunn, one of the world’s leading Shakespearean directors. Rufus Hound will be joining Joely Richardson, Robert Sheehan and Kåre Conradi in The Wars of the Roses. Tickets from £19, plus transaction fees. PIRATES - YO HO HO! WALK THAT PLANK! THEMED SINGALONG Sun 27 Sep Úna’s singalong sessions are multisensory. All learning styles are catered for in her sessions in an engaging learning environment that promotes inclusiveness. Not only does your child experience music and song but they get to play with a variety of props and toys linked to the theme, there is dressing up, stories, and a very visual set design to keep everyone engaged and entertained. Performance suitable for age range: Babies from 3 months - 5 year olds Tickets from £5, plus transaction fees. 24

MUCH ADO ABOUT LOVE: JOHN LINK Wed 16 Sep John Link is a former theatre director and self-taught painter who began painting full time in 2004. He produces work from his studio in Brighton where he relocated from Kingston and has a fast growing reputation both in the UK and abroad for his contemporary interpretations of Shakespeare’s characters. All works presented in the exhibition are for sale. Opening times: 10am-6pm Mon-Sat. Sundays and evenings during performance times. CAFÉ EVENTS RHYME TIME Mondays weekly, 11.15am Bring the little ones down for a free morning of rhyming, singing and laughter in the Café at the Rose, and that’s just the parents. JAZZ FIRST TUESDAYS Tuesdays weekly, 1.15pm– 2pm SWING DANCE Last Sunday of the month, 2pm – 5pm Lunchtime live jazz presented by Kingston University

OmniLocal - Kingston Upon Thames • September 2015

In The Cinema

(Scan the QR Codes to see the trailers)

Masterminds

Supplied by: Leanna Carl discovers the scheme of a lifetime.

In this rib-tickling, yet high-action flick, our lead David Ghantt (played by the hilarious “Hangover” star Zach Galifianakis) is thrown headfirst into the adventure of a lifetime. We watch as he moves from his tedious and routine job of driving armoured vehicles full of other people’s money to pulling off an unbelievable, yet highly faulted bank heist. It is only through his growing crush on his workmate Kelly Campbell (“Bridesmaids” favourite, Kristen Wiig) that David

Assisted by a group of half-brained criminals, led by Steve Chambers (Owen Wilson, of “Zoolander” and other greats) this uncomplicated, average-joe is able to walk away with $17 million in cash - that is, until he hands the money over to the wrong people. With plenty of double-crossing and a mission to retrieve what’s already stolen, this movie is packed with hilarious circumstances and a lot of tense moments. Upon leaving behind some glaring evidence, evading the authorities, and the lovable hitman Mike McKinney (Jason Sudeikis, “Meet the Millers” funnyman) - can David get away with it? Who will they have to double-cross themselves in order to get what they want?

Out on DVD

Fast & Furious 7

James Wan brings us the 7th exciting installment in his popular and fast-paced series. Although fast and furious aren’t the specifications all movie-goers are after, this really is a great action thriller with a lot of emotion running through, and well worth a watch. Our leads, Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel), Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker) and the rest of their crew thought they were out of the woods when it came 25

to their previous criminal mercenary lives. After defeating the international terrorist Owen Shaw, all they want is to settle into their normal lives. Of course, things become less simple when Owen’s brother Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham) sets out to assassinate every crew member one by one, as a way of avenging his brother. To make matters worse, a hacker (Nathalie Emmanuel) claiming to have developed “God’s Eye” is thrown into the mix, with the incentive of added protection from a fierce government agent (Kurt Russell). Can Dom’s crew evade Deckard’s warpath, and help save the young hacker in the process?

www.omnilocal.co.uk • Edition 35

HEALTH & BEAUTY

Looking to Change Things up?

Supplied by: Leanna Carl - Omni Local

Over time, some of us start to get a little bored of the same routines, one example being – our hair. If you’re anything like me, you’ll enjoy some semi-consistent changes when it comes to your hair, and you tend to get bored sometimes when you’re flicking through photos - only to see you’ve had the same style for years. Not everyone feels this way, and sometimes classics really never die. I’m personally no expert when it comes to beauty trends and haircare, however, I regularly dye my hair myself in a multitude of different shades, because I believe bursts of colour are a great way to express yourself. At the moment I am sporting pinks, purples, greens and blues in my hair. (You don’t have to be this adventurous though, especially if your job limits you). Colours like purple are incredibly difficult to keep looking vibrant and healthy without reaching for the dye every week or so, but there are a few ways you can get around issues like this.

with a little of your conditioner to enrich your hair as you dye, and keep those tubs/ tubes full for longer, saving you a few shopping trips and split ends. Blue stains pretty well. Although purples tend to fade very fast, that blue pigment is a tough one to get back out, so if purple is what you’re going for, you can always try mixing blues, reds and pinks to your specifications, because red pigment also tends to last longer. I have blue lengths, so by stocking up on bright pinks, and covering all of my hair, I save myself a little money and effort and I create a natural looking pink-to-purple ombre effect with very little staining and damage.

Invest in some dry shampoo. This comes in the form of an aerosol, waterless foam or even talc! Talc works the same way, but can leave your hair with paler tinges and can get a bit messy. I myself like Boot’s own brand of dry shampoo, as it doesn’t leave any residue and smells great. If you suffer from greasy hair like I do, you feel a need to wash it nearly every day – but this is a sure fire way to wash those colours out, and it’s not healthy for your hair to keep ridding it of natural oils!

If you’re feeling brave, try experimenting or seeing what others have come up with online, and if it seems too risky, don’t do it! These tips can also come in handy for more natural colours.

Dilute your hair dye. Most brands of crazycoloured dyes can quite easily be blended 26

OmniLocal - Kingston Upon Thames • September 2015

B2B SECTION

Self Assessment is Easy!!

Supplied by: Goddards Accountants Kingston Ltd

Or so say the Politicians. Yet in the latest Budget we find that as well as a Personal Allowance of £10,600 2015/16 there is also a Dividend and Interest Allowance of £5,000; and in 2016/17 there will be a Dividend allowance of £5,000 and an Interest allowance of £1,000 (only if your allowance does not exceed £15,600) as well as the Capital Gains Tax allowance of £11,000; and the Annual Investment allowance of 100% on any plant and equipment purchased by Sole Traders etc. up to the value of £250,000 in a year. If you let a bedroom to a lodger your tax free allowance increases from £4,250 to £7,500 per annum. As you can see, with all of these changes in The Budget, it will be far from easy for individuals to complete.

Major changes will occur with regard to Inheritance Tax that should bring personal residences worth under £1 million out of Inheritance Tax; this will affect the minority of Self-Assessment Clients who may have inherited from family or friends. As a result it is necessary that every adult should review his or her will; or if they do not have one, to create a will. If they die “intestate”, as well as taking the Inheritance tax, the government is also a potential beneficiary of the estate. Funding With the economy now coming out of recession, small business owners should remember that more businesses go bust coming out of recession than going into or during recession. As a result Goddards have linked up with Finance Houses in order to assist clients in raising funds for Invoice Discounting, Plant & Machinery acquisition and Stock Funding. In addition we can prepare Business Plans, Budgets and Cash Flows for third party investments into a business. Why not phone us on 020 8941 2187 to discuss your needs/requirements.

www.omnilocal.co.uk â&#x20AC;˘ Edition 35

Beautiful floors that will enhance your home

Tel 01483 575078

Email office@thechilworthflooringco.co.uk www.thechilworthflooringco.co.uk

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OmniLocal - Kingston Upon Thames â&#x20AC;˘ September 2015

It has always been our aim to demonstrate to you what great businesses are in your area. We are incredibly grateful for the support we get from local businesses and residents, and we hope to support the local community by giving more recognition to local companies in and around Kingston. Our magazine gets published every month thanks to our brilliant readers and advertisers, and we believe that offering plenty of quality services throughout our publication can help our readers discover what great professional local traders are on their doorstep. It also gives smaller businesses the opportunity to broadcast their skillsets and offer help to local residents. Our aim is to help you find exactly what you need, from plumbers to hairdressers, and local restaurants to educational courses within the area. Always go local! With so many excellent businesses just around the corner - there is no

LOCAL TRADES need to look any further. We are passionate about supporting local businesses within Omni Local, however, in order to keep doing so and to let our readers know what services are out there, we still need your help! Some businesses may not have discovered Omni Local or other local publications, and we aim to show them more ways to promote their services - this is where you can help! If you know of any LOCAL trades businesses that have yet to feature in Omni Local, and you feel they deserve a mention in our magazine, please do not hesitate to send us their company details and we will do our best to provide support and assist them in promoting their business. Contact John on 07898 870 870 or email sales.omnilocal@gmail.com

www.omnilocal.co.uk • Edition 35

FAMILY SECTION

Keep Those Kids Motivated!

Supplied by: Leanna Carl - Omni Local

At this point within the year, it is almost guaranteed that your children will be feeling those back to school blues and finding it hard to get back into the swing of things. Following some great Summer holiday entertainment, family time and general relaxation - none of us really want to ease back into our routines. Fortunately, there are some ways to make the transition slightly easier for them, mainly by showing an interest and plenty of care. Here are some things to remember: Always stay positive Making sure that your relationship with your children is open, light-hearted and respectful will let them know that you are rooting for their success and will always support them along the way. Punishments and threats won’t get you very far, as in most cases, youngsters start challenging you and working against you, and raised voices and overreactions can really have an effect on their self esteem. Remove any distractions when the time calls Don’t completely revoke your children’s right to have fun, or permanently confiscate their favourite toys and games - however, keeping electronics under wraps for a certain amount of time during the evenings and making a regular habit of setting “study hours” and “homework time” will firmly, but fairly remind them that they have priorities they need to tend to before any “chillingout” starts. It also pays to join them in their studies from time to time, as you’ll both have time to connect, and they may find it less of a chore Remind them of their goals (gently)

Don’t overdo it with college talk or keep insisting they become a doctor, as we never go as far as we hope without putting our hearts into what we do; give them some room to think about where they want to be in so many years. You could even offer small rewards for good grades on important exams and let them know the benefits of studying. Even if their hope is simply to watch a movie or play videogames this evening - why not suggest that they choose a movie for everyone to watch in return for doing their homework, or a couple of hours of studying? Get creative There are lots of useful ways to keep their heads in the game when it comes to schoolwork, such as marking a calendar to help them get organised - or fitting a large whiteboard to the wall to jot down to do’s and cross of accomplishments. You could sit and quiz them on what they’ve been learning and studying, then reward their correct answers with treats and commendations. Its up to you to find fun and interesting ways to keep them hungry for knowledge outside of school.

OmniLocal - Kingston Upon Thames • September 2015

Your Premium Product

BUSINESS SECTION Supplied by: David Wimblett of 7 Training

Not got one? Well you should have. Now if you are thinking, ‘What’s a Premium Product?’ let me explain. Ryanair have a great example: ‘Priority Boarding’. It costs £4.99. A Boeing 737 carries 189 passengers. Let’s say 5% of those passengers buy priority boarding – that’s an extra £49.90 Ryanair makes for doing pretty much nothing - other than letting certain people board first. Those people are getting on the same plane, going to the same place - they just get on board a few minutes faster.

cheaper at the other times (discounted rates) as this will just lose you money.

Ryanair make over 500,000 flights a year. That’s over £25 million in extra sales. Now do you see why you should have a Premium Product? Now I’m not saying that you will make millions, but an extra few thousand would benefit any business. Another great example is a restaurant’s ‘Chef’s Table’. Diners pay extra to have their meal actually in the kitchen of the restaurant (I would love that). Some top restaurants charge a fortune for this; so a great deal of extra money for doing very little. At its most pure form, the Chef’s Table is just making room for a table in the kitchen, right in the middle of all of the action. So, how can this work for your business?

On the other hand, if you are a decorator, flooring company, plumber, or the like, you could have three levels of service for the same job: Bronze, Silver and VIP. The Bronze service is your standard price, but you only work Monday to Friday, 7.5 hours a day and fit the job around your schedule. The other two levels of service are your Premium Products, providing longer hours, working on a Saturday and a start date to suit the customer. You may be doing all of those things already - but that is the point. Think of Ryanair: you are just marketing what you do differently, increasing your sales, and therefore your profits. Premium Products are everywhere; Tesco have their ‘finest’ range and if you don’t have a Premium Product you are missing out on business.

A lot will depend on your business and how you work, but you will have a Premium Product, maybe even more than one. Let’s say that you are a physio, dentist, or the like, your Premium Product would be the peak times people want your services. Before 9.00am, lunchtime, and after 6.00pm. You just charge extra for these times. Don’t be 31

If you need help designing your Premium Product, I can be contacted by phone or email: Email; david@7training.co.uk Tel: 01483 575078 www.7training.co.uk

www.omnilocal.co.uk • Edition 35

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OmniLocal - Kingston Upon Thames • September 2015

When should I start planning for my death?

FINANCE SECTION Supplied by: Mukesh Savani - Foster Denovo

My cousin and I grew up together, spending holidays at each other’s houses. This summer, her family celebrated their daughter graduating from dental school and their son going to a year abroad in Australia. Three weeks ago, her husband, the gregarious life and soul of any party, played a round of golf with friends on Saturday afternoon. Walking back, he had a sudden cardiac arrest and died, aged 58. His colleague, police and the paramedics tried their best but to no avail. After the funeral, I sat down at home and pondered about my own estate planning. Was my will up to date? Did my family know where it was? Could they access our bank accounts? Did they have the necessary access to the laptops’ passwords? Did they have a list of our assets and liabilities? Would they even know what to do? Working as a Financial Planner and specialising in retirement and estate planning, I have these conversations with clients and their lawyers all the time, so I thought about penning a few simple actions which anyone can take. The first step is to make wills which avoids intestacy, since the rules changed in December 2014. Without a will, probate can take a long time and also the state dictates who your assets go to, especially if there are children. You should nominate executors and guardians if your children are under 18 years old. Wills should be reviewed regularly, especially following changes like marriage, birth of a child or divorce. You can get mirror wills done for a small fixed fee using a wills and probate solicitor. A useful addition is to set up Lasting Powers of Attorney, which enables your partner or relative to make financial and health-related decisions for you if you are incapacitated, following an accident or illness. Lastly, an advance health care directive or living will can also be a useful addition to help relatives make decisions on your behalf. Estate Planning and the use of flexible family trusts are not just for the “mega rich” but can be of use for most families. They help to: • direct assets to the right people; • mitigate Inheritance tax; • keep the assets within the bloodline through the generations • preserve homes, investment properties

and other family assets from future divorces of children. Most people have life cover, employer’s death in service benefits and pensions which are not in a trust so the payout takes longer and is potentially liable to Inheritance Tax. A simple step of having these paid in to a flexible discretionary trust will help to avoid probate delays and future tax liabilities. So, what’s the next step? A good start is to have an initial meeting with a Financial Planner specialising in this area. I can provide an initial Discovery meeting free of cost to you. After which, it would be clear if there are issues to be addressed and then we can work together on creating a strategy and timescale of actions to address these issues. Estate Planning can be more straightforward than you think. About Foster Denovo At Foster Denovo, our specialist financial advisers, like Mukesh Savani, can discuss your options with you. Our financial advisers can provide advice over the telephone or face-to-face. There is a cost for this service but your first discovery meeting, or call with an adviser, is at our expense. Your adviser will always agree costs with you before carrying out any work. If you would like to learn more about your options, please call Mukesh Savani on 0207 469 2800 or email mukesh.savani@ fosterdenovo.com. The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate taxation and trust advice. Foster Denovo Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered office: Foster Denovo Limited, Ruxley House, 2 Hamm Moor Lane, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 2SA. Telephone: 01932 870 720 Email: info@fosterdenovo. com Website: www.fosterdenovo.com

CROSSWORD

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ACROSS

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1 Mostly training and skill show how easily something can be done (14) 9 Admires new weapon (7) 10 Company chief ordered to get a small house (7) 11 A fool rejected Turner perhaps (4) 12 Transaction includes black fur (5) 13 Endlessly show respect by going down on one? (4) 16 Cut head off...cut head off exotic flower first (7) 17 Get together for prayer (7) 18 A very short dance? (3-4) 21 The weather worried Tim and Alec (7) 23 Transport for vagrant mostly (4) 24 Embargo on nobleman (5) 25 God whose reflection is seen in canal (4) 28 Spoke but spoke indistinctly first off (7) 29 He worked with vicar to keep records (7) 30 Deborah started changing act (5,3,6)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 14 15 19 20 21 22 26 27

Launch sailing vessel and celebrate lavishly (4,3,4,3) Composition by an Italian poet (7) Melt some of the path away (4) Announcer on the radio for match (7) Rustic leaders of British union get tummy ache (7) Permit takes time for Latvian (4) Apprentice from Aintree messed up (7) Again advanced smaller sum to head, showing persistence (14) Damp has to destroy finally (5) The King lives â&#x20AC;&#x201C; thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s crazy! (5) One demands former thespian (7) I put lad off with praise (7) Piece of music for choir at end of perfomance (7) Studio is refurbished late â&#x20AC;&#x201C; thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s right (7) River associated with a waste product (4) Copy Spain and Switzerland, love (4)

OmniLocal - Kingston Upon Thames • September 2015

WORD SEARCH

Find all the listed seaside related words in the grid. Words can run across, backwards, up, down and diagonally but always in a straight line.

Y A C H I L L Y I O U H E H

Z T H A N K S G I V I N G K

T Z W B C P V W D D L G C L

T E K I N E E W O L L A H E

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Solutions on our website - www.omnilocal.co.uk

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OmniLocal - Kingston Upon Thames • September 2015

Changing Seasons and the Changing Market

PROPERTY SECTION Supplied by: Peter Greenwood - Alex Clark

Now that we are moving out of Summer and into Autumn, it is important to keep up with the changes. As many Estate Agents will tell you, there are a lot of ways to make the most of seasonal weather changes and the general ambience when looking to buy, sell or rent. One example is to beat the change – before agreeing to photographs of the property you are looking to sell, consider what it will look like in a month’s time, should the house not sell immediately. Summer photographs look good all year round but Autumn and Winter shots really do date stamp the advert. It is important to ensure potential buyers and window shoppers see what you have to offer at its very best. Always ensure you have thoroughly decluttered your home, even before the Estate Agent valuation, try to maximise the feeling of space in each room and area. Then ensure that the lighting is correct for the photographer and input on any particular angles you want taken to show your house to the full. To ensure you get the instant curb appeal, ask yourself - does it need work? The summer will slowly dwindle away – although, after the recent August Bank Holiday weekend, it doesn’t feel quite like that right now…RAIN...There is always a small window in September before the leaves start to change colour. Keeping it clean, green and preened will guarantee to turn more heads and get instant curb appeal, as First Impressions are vital. Everyone in the estate agency business knows that September and October are great times to sell your property. Most people are looking to buy or sell and complete, so

they can settle into their new property by Christmas; so it really is important if you want to move this year, to do it now. Once you have decided to arrange that valuation and start the process, think how wonderful it will be to have Christmas in your new dream home. For more suggestions on how to increase your chances of buying or selling, why not speak to the professionals? Contact GREENWOODS & Alex Clark Sales & Lettings by calling 020 8239 0535, sending an email to enquiries@alexclarkkingston. co.uk, or simply pop into the office at 129 Richmond Road, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey KT2 5BZ. GREENWOODS is now a fully independent family owned business, ready to give you a personal and highly professional service.

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JobSpot Email: georgina.carter@absolutelyrecruitment.co.uk Or call: 020 8546 8686

Calling all temps full and part time- all levels required for immediate bookings in the local area. Competitive rates Email: anne.lapham@absolutelyrecruitment.co.uk Or call: 020 8546 8686 As a result of a new contract gained, we are recruiting for a number of management and sales positions for a local company. Competitive salaries. Email: daniella.asante@absolutelyrecruitment.co.uk Or call: 020 8546 8686 Entry level administrator/customer service in globally recognised companies. (Must have graduated from a top 40 university or equivalent with strong numerical reasoning) Competitive salaries. Email: georgina.carter@absolutelyrecruitment.co.uk Or call: 020 8546 8686 Senior Product Manager required for local electronics company. Must be degree educated or equivalent £45-50,000 per annum

Accounts Assistant required for local service company. Must be AAT qualified £23-25,000 per annum Email: daniella.asante@absolutelyrecruitment.co.uk Or call: 020 8546 8686 Parts Coordinator needed for global electronics organisation. Must have experience in stock control and be degree educated or equivalent Email: georgina.carter@absolutelyrecruitment.co.uk Or call: 020 8546 8686 Team Administrator required for a buzzy start-up Recruitment company based in Regents Street. Must be well organised and able to prioritise workload £23-25,000 per annum Email: georgina.carter@absolutelyrecruitment.co.uk Or call: 020 8546 8686

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e l y t s e R www.omnilocal.co.uk • Edition 35

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