Omni Local Kingston Summer 2016 by Omni Local

Supporting Local Business & Local Charities

Kingston Upon Thames Issue No. 44

Summer Events Edition THIS MONTH • Finding Ways to Enjoy the Summer • Check out this month’s Competition! Com Page 40

r me t m Su l-ou l Pu uide G

Image courtesy of Tangle Photography: tanglephotography.co.uk

www.omnilocal.co.uk • Edition 44

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OmniLocal - Kingston Upon Thames • July 2016

Dear All I want to start this month by congratulating the team at the Kingston Chamber of Commerce for an excellent Business Expo! What a great event! By now your diaries should be packed with events happening in and around the Kingston Area. From face painting, theatre nights and the general madness that IYAF brings, there is plenty going on! If you haven’t already, please have a look at the pull-out section in the middle of the magazine.

Contents:

What’s new for us? – Well, we now accept the Kingston Pound! We have already accepted payments of Kingston pounds in the bank. I am looking forward to spend every penny of it with the local Kingston £ businesses! If you have not heard about Kingston £, then visit their website - kingstonpound.org/ You will see this month we have a couple of new adverts from Number1 Carpet Cleaners on pg13, Stage Coach – Teddington on pg34 and Turks Launches on pg34! I hope last month’s winner of the competition enjoys their meal at Saffron Summer. It is rumoured that John Terry has eaten there and raves about it! This month we have The Boaters Inn to thank for their competition….What a perfect place to have some free food and a bottle of wine while sitting on the River Thames in the sunshine! We are going to take a rest now, and if you are a regular reader, you will know we don’t publish in August. This is a time for me personally to look at the business and decide on any changes. I already have a couple of improvements in mind, and I may even be looking at expanding into other areas….During the summer I will be looking for 3 people to join the team and help with sales of both the magazine and the business directory. If you are looking for a little extra income, or know someone who has about 3 hours a day to spare, please ask them to give me a call on 07898 870 870. I hope you have some great plans for the summer, and thank you so much for your support so far this year. Make sure you don’t forget us and I am willing for a lot of sun! Kind regards John – Omni Local

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

Local Business Focus Monica Castenetto - Live a Life you Love

Community Section This Months Charity – Kingston Mencap Community Person - Carole McGrath Kingston Police Advice Kingston Tour Guides

6-11

Arts Section Kingston Artists Open Studios

Home Section Keep your Home in Top Shape

Learning Section Advice from NumberWorks’n’Words

Cooking Corner This Month’s EatWright Recipe

Gardening Section Gardening Tips for the Month

Health & Beauty Forever Living Tips for the Summer

16-18

This Months Special Feature Ways to Spend the Bank Holidays

22-23

Places to Go Rose Theatre Listings Local Events At the Cinema – Absolutely Fabulous Out Now on DVD – How to be Single

24-27

DIY Section Jobs to do Around the Home

Accounting & Finance Goddards Residential Accountant Financial Advice from Mukesh Savani

29/35

Local Trades Section Use One of our Excellent Local Trades

Travel Section Planning Holidays with First Exchange

Motoring Section Car Care

Property Section Advice from Lucie White & Company

Games & Puzzles Section Crossword Sudoku Word Search Monthly Competition & Review

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LOCAL JOBS

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OmniLocal - Kingston Upon Thames • July 2016

LOCAL BUSINESS

Getting to Know our Local, Hardworking Business Owners

Supplied by: Monica Castenetto - Life Coach

This month I am talking to Monica Castenetto, Life Direction Coach at Live a Life You Love. Q1: Hi Monica, what is your work as a Life Direction Coach about? A1: I work with people who’ve come to a crossroads, or feel stuck in a life that isn’t right for them anymore. They know they want something different – a meaningful, enjoyable, balanced life – but don’t know what exactly that means, nor how to get there. I help them find a life direction that’s right for them, so they can feel happier and more satisfied again. Q2: Who are your clients? A2: Men and women from all walks of life: professionals suffering from a draining work routine; Mums wondering what to do with their own life, as the kids are leaving the nest; or people rebuilding their life after a redundancy, the end of a relationship, or a health issue. Often, it’s a 50th birthday triggering a need to really consider how they want to live and work – and make the next phase of their life count!

Q6: What have some of your clients achieved?

Q3: Where do you see your clients? A3: Face to face in my local area, Strawberry Hill. And world-wide via Skype! Q4: Why work on life direction with a coach? A4: A crossroads or change can be stressful, unsettling, and even frightening. As your coach, I help you by: Being your objective, non-judgmental sounding board; guiding you with structure, ideas, inspiration and practical approaches; motivating and keeping you on track; building your confidence to make noticeable, positive life changes so that you get through your crossroads with more ease and less stress.

A6: They have: Retrained into meaningful work; balanced their life, working part-time and increasing family time; travelled the world; set up a yoga community centre; launched their small-biz newsletter; looked after their health more; made sustainable mood improvements; created time in their busy schedule to look for a new partner (and found one), and one even married her partner of ten years! Q7: What do you love most about your work? A7: Seeing my clients take control of their destiny, and flourish living the life they love! Q8: Do you have any special offers on? A8: There are lots of valuable freebies on my website. And a £250 Omni Reader Discount on my 2 longer coaching programmes until the end of July 2016!

Q5: What services do you offer? A5: I offer 3 coaching programmes: Break through a specific issue (1 month); find out what next, and get it underway (3 months); travel all the way to where you want to be in your life (6 months).

To find out more about Monica and how she can help you, visit www.livealifeyoulove. co.uk 5

www.omnilocal.co.uk • Edition 44

CARE IN THE COMMUNITY

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

International GBS Awareness This month is International Group B Strep Awareness Month, which gives us the opportunity to learn more about strep and help to prevent the devastating effects that come with it. Through spreading awareness and knowing the symptoms, we can help to protect newborn babies from group B Strep. Statistics Around 1 in 4 women may carry group B Strep, which is known to be the leading cause of Meningitis and Sepsis. It can also affect unborn babies during pregnancy, or during their first few months. Not all babies are infected when exposed to GBS but sadly, infections can lead to miscarriages, premature births or long-term handicaps after they are born. Unfortunately, even after tested mothers are given the all-clear, their children can still become infected. What is GBS? Group B Streptococcus is a kind of bacteria generally found in the birth canal or digestive tract of pregnant women. Unborn babies can become infected by this bacteria before they’re born or up to 6 months old, due to underdeveloped immune systems. What are the Symptoms? For pregnant women, symptoms can include decreased movement during pregnancy (from the 20th week onwards); and an unexplained fever. For newborn babies, symptoms may include irritability, high-pitched cries and whimpering, grunting, refusing to eat, vomiting, constant need to sleep, blotchy red skin, turning pale and blueish, difficulty breathing, unstable temperature, blank stares or a bulging area on top of their head. Unfortunately there are many symptoms, meaning it’s hard to know for sure – so make sure to talk to your doctor if you are at all concerned. Preventing GBS As infections can occur during pregnancy and

after, it is hard to keep your baby protected from the dangerous bacteria, but you can make sure to act on any symptoms as soon as possible. Whatever concerns you have, be sure to follow them up immediately. Post giving birth, doctors can provide aid through antibiotics. It is also important that you and anyone who holds your newborn always washes their hands first, and that they know the signs and symptoms themselves. Breastfeeding can also supply babies with antibodies that may fight off infections. If you have any concerns about you or a loved one’s baby, always consult your GP and take any precautions necessary to ensure the well-being of your little ones. This month people can spread awareness, share their experiences and help others going through the same devastating effects through use of the hashtag #InternationalGBSAwareness.

OmniLocal - Kingston Upon Thames • July 2016

COMMUNITY PERSON

Carole McGrath I was born in Peterlee Co. Durham, the wonderful North East. I Studied Modern Languages at Lanchester polytechnic, spent a year working in France as a local news reporter, and for a charity in Germany raising funds and awareness for cyclists in Kassel. We organized a rally for 5000 cyclists, resulting in a network of new cycle paths. I also worked for 14 years in export, selling for the historic Liberty of London prints, then spent 3 wonderful years at St Luke’s School, Kingston as an LSA and Classroom Assistant. Meeting an inspirational massage trainer led to a total career change in 2003 when I trained in Holistic Therapy, Massage and Aromatherapy, and many more skill sets before working in schools. In 2010 I launched Positive Touch with The Peer massage Project. It’s a constant reward to work with such amazing clients, teachers, children and parents. I feel passionate about Positive Touch and teaching invaluable life skills, especially when you read the statistics: “Mental health problems are all too common in the workplace and it is the leading cause of sickness absence. A staggering 70 million workdays are lost each year due to mental health problems in the UK, costing

employers approximately £2.4 billion per year! Nearly 1 in 3 people are regularly stressed!” (Mental Health Awareness Survey 2016) With the NHS facing such challenges as major strains in hospital care, A&E, and GP services, we need to look after our own physical and mental health and that of our children, including Slow Parenting!

Supplied by: Carole McGrath

Positive Touch teaches children to remain calm in today’s frenetic society, helping them reach their full potential! We need to protect our future workforce and society! That’s why I launched It’s Cool to be Calm in Kingston, and I’m offering a free trial workshop to Primary Schools in the Borough. Grand Avenue School, Tolworth Primary School and Coombe Hill Infants have run “Relax before Sats” workshops with Positive Touch. I am passionate about healthy living and balancing the homeostasis in our body. That’s why I’ve recently added a new side to my business selling Aloe Vera products from Forever Living. The History of Aloe Vera and massage date back thousands of years. Our forefathers realized then how beneficial they were for maintaining health . John Gower, Director of Omni, recently introduced me to his networking groups, where I have met talented, inspirational local people. Working with our local community in business and charity is so rewarding. I’ve also run tours for Kingston Tour Guides for over 15 years for local schools and those from abroad too. Three years ago I did a 600km charity cycle in Cambodia and Vietnam to raise funds for 2 children’s charities desperate for a regular clean water supply and new classrooms. This trip taught me how important it is to be part of one’s local community and those further afield too.

www.omnilocal.co.uk • Edition 44

POLICE ADVICE

Come along to our free Emergency Services Open Day!

Supplied by: Alison McWinnie - MET Police

- 11am – 3pm on Sunday 17th July at Kingston Police Station. • Take a tour of the custody suite! • Visit a crime scene! • Meet police dogs and horses! • Take a look at some historic vehicles! • The fire brigade will be there! Neighbourhood Watch, RNLI and SERCO too! • Meet our fantastic cadets! Borough Commander, Glenn Tunstall has set these 3 community focused priorities for the forthcoming performance year for Kingston Borough officers: Deliver exceptional service to every Victim, every time Measured through: Confidence and Satisfaction, Victim’s Code of Practice, Rate your PC, Public Complaints Protecting Vulnerable in society Prioritising: Children, Elderly, Hate Crime, Domestic abuse, Sexual offences Put prevention at the heart of everything we do Achieved by: Making every encounter an opportunity for prevention activity Continually looking for ways to reduce demand at the outset Actively manage cases of repeat demand Embed a prevention mindset across all our teams. Work with all our communities to give people the knowledge to protect themselves This September we will be starting our interactive crime prevention talks again. All talks start at 10am for 10.15am and last approximately 1 hour. The speaker is Kingston’s very own Chief Inspector Gary Taylor. Please email Alison.McWhinnie@ outlook.com to book your free place on any of these talks: 24th September in Kingston – Burglary: Reduce your chances of being burgled by 80% with some top tips from this session.

1st October in New Malden – Scams: How to spot them; how to stop them! What are the current scams in operation? How you can avoid them? Protect yourself from identity fraud -address, bank accounts, phone and computer. Courier fraud - Holiday fraud - Scam Mail - Investment Scams - Door to door scams Dating and romance scams - Banking and payment card scams - Mobile phone scams - Ticketing scams - Online shopping and auction fraud - Internet scams - Frequent scamming tools - What to do if you get scammed 19th November in Kingston – Personal Safety: Pick up some expert personal safety tips to help you stay safe in a variety of situations Kingston Police, Neighbourhood Watch and Business Watch are all on social media. We would love you to follow us: Twitter - @mpskingston @KingstonNHW @KBBusinessWatch Facebook - /mpskingston /KingstonNHW / KingstonBoroughBusinessWatch Want to join Neighbourhood Watch? Email us today: Kingston.NHW@Met.Police.uk This page is sponsored by Nolt Security:

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OmniLocal - Kingston Upon Thames • July 2016

LOCAL CHARITY

THIS MONTH’S CHARITY Supplied by:

Kingston Mencap Kingston Mencap (Charity No. 210583) is an independent local charity, affiliated to Royal Mencap.

Peter Hodges - Kingston Mencap

Kingston Mencap was founded 64 years ago and has served the residents of Kingston who have a learning disability ever since. The public attitude towards people with learning disabilities has changed drastically, for the better, since the early 1960s. Our members are no longer hidden away and now enjoy full and varied social lives. Many live in supported living or residential care, others live with their parents, but, wherever they live, parents and families remain involved in their lives. Kingston Mencap is always there for our members, families and carers alike. Kingston Mencap provides leisure clubs for our Members, giving them opportunities to meet and have fun in safe, secure environments with our magnificent band of Volunteers looking after them, under the guidance of experienced Club Leaders. Our Members enjoy annual summer outings and visits to the pantomime at Christmas. Additionally, our clubs regularly have visiting entertainers and off site activities. Last year we all had a brilliant time at Birdworld, near Farnham, and later in the year at the Leatherhead Christmas Pantomime, where the cast came and mingled with us after the show. Kingston Mencap pays for these activities out of annual subscriptions, club subscriptions, donations and sponsorship. We hold money raising activities too: in June we have our Seekers annual Sponsored Walk and our Railway Day. In July we will be taking part in the Kingston Dragon Boat event, kindly

sponsored by the Canbury Community Trust and the Rotary Club of New Malden, with our Members manning the Dragon boats! Our Senior Social in October is always very popular, as is our Christmas Fair in November which, with our Christmas raffle, typically raises around £2000. This year we had a very enjoyable Charity Concert at the Rose Theatre in June, and event we hope to repeat next year. We are always looking for volunteers to help at our four main clubs. Seekers, Future Friends, Putty Potters and Saturday Drop In. (In October, we will be opening Spectrum, a new club for autistic adults.) Possibilities include driving or escorting on the Monday evening minibus, general assistance for our members during club sessions, or specialist volunteering at Spectrum. We receive no funding from Royal Mencap, all our income has to be raised by our own endeavours. Donations are always welcome and you can become a Friend of Kingston Mencap for only £5 per year. Please see our website www.kingstonmencap.co.uk to see how to become a Friend, volunteer or donate.

www.omnilocal.co.uk â&#x20AC;˘ Edition 44

On behalf of Love Kingston we would like to wish you the most enjoyable and fun street parties this summer. Whilst many of us are fortunate to be celebrating with our family, friends and neighbours, sadly there are many residents in our beautiful borough that are isolated from people and place. We are appealing to residents to donate any excess funds from street parties to Love Kingston. Any amount donated, whether it's ÂŁ20 or ÂŁ200 will be gratefully received and will help us support small local community projects that are tackling isolation and helping local people connect to their communities. Please contact Sorrel Parsons, Fund Manager, if you can help or have any questions: sorrel.parsons@londoncf.org.uk or 07990 925342 www.love-kingston.org.uk Love Kingston is a fund of The London Community Foundation, working in partnership with Kingston Voluntary Action. The London Community Foundation, Unit 7 Piano House, 9 Brighton Terrace, London SW9 8DJ. Registered Charity 1091263

OmniLocal - Kingston Upon Thames • July 2016

LOCAL HISTORY

The Riverside

Supplied by: Mike Seigel - Kingston Tour Guides

This month sees another exciting Dragon Boat Race along the river, on Sunday 17th, and I thought it might be helpful to look at some of Kingston’s associations with the Thames in previous centuries. Kingston’s location on the Thames has always been of great importance, and in prehistoric times it was an island site. In the Saxon period the river formed the boundary between the kingdom of Wessex and the kingdom of Mercia on the other side. Fishing had long been a crucial industry to the small town, and the Domesday Book of 1086 cites Kingston as having 3 fisheries (the symbol of the town to this day), 5 mills, a minster church and a population of about 500. It was King Edward III who in the 14th century declared that Kingston should be known as Kingston upon Thames, to distinguish it from the Yorkshire town of Kingston upon Hull, today known simply as Hull. Today we associate the riverside with not only the older pubs, the Gazebo and the Bishop, but also the many restaurants which have recently proliferated and are hugely popular. Yet not so long ago the now thriving riverside was dank, dirty and smelly, the site of wharves, tanneries and sewage! Outside the back of John Lewis you’ll see the cobblestones that mark the site of the old wooden bridge, which had crossed the Thames from as early as the end of the 12th century, surviving until the stone bridge was built in 1828. Beneath John Lewis you can look through the windows to see the stone pillars which had supported this, and on Heritage Weekend in September this area is open to the public. This part of the riverside at the back of John Lewis was in fact Buckland’s Wharf, and can be seen in Thomas Rowlandson’s View of

Kingston Bridge, displayed in the Kingston Museum. Edward Buckland died in 1618 and in his will “devised to the Bailiffs and Freemen of Kingston a wharf and parcel of ground on the north side of the Great Bridge”. Coal merchants continued to use Buckland’s Wharf until well into the 20th century, and the importance of the river to the town is stressed in the motifs on the front of the Guildhall built in 1935. If you would like to discover more about the riverside and other interesting pieces of history as you walk around our town, why not join one of our tours, led by specially trained volunteers? The tours start outside the church gates in the Ancient Market Place at 11am every Sunday in summer and on every first Sunday of the month from October to March. The charge is £5 per adult and £3 for children under 12 - or perhaps you might to arrange a private walk for a group of your own friends. For further information on all our walks and talks please ring 020 8399 0160 or visit our recently revamped website: www.kingstontour-guides.org.uk

www.omnilocal.co.uk â&#x20AC;¢ Edition 44

OmniLocal - Kingston Upon Thames • July 2016

ARTS

Lucy Birkbeck Designs Lucy Birkbeck might have given you a bath or washed your hair! For over 20 years she’s been developing successful beauty brands and products for the high street. But before she got into lotions and potions, she graduated from Leicester Poly with a degree in Surface Decoration so design has always been an important part of her work and interests. She recently decided to go back to the drawing board by creating and selling her paintings via an Etsy shop. Her intricate monochrome paintings are created in limited editions using a printed outline ‘template’, then hand painted with pen and ink making each unique, whilst remaining affordable. Her pieces are clearly inspired by natural elements along with influences of Egyptian Art and its resurgence in popularity in 1970’s graphic design.

Supplied by: Lucy Birkbeck

her monochrome works these are a stunning assault of vibrant colour. She now offers these pictures as high quality giclée prints, meaning her work remains affordable and commercial.

Having lived in Kingston for over 10 years, Lucy was keen to tap into local arts activities. She joined KAOS in 2015 and was instantly energised by the activities and opportunities they were promoting in the community. As a member she was delighted to be selected to exhibit work in Kingston Museum and was thrilled to participate in her first Open Studios event in 2016. She says “I feel strongly that this free and exciting event in Kingston deserves more exposure and endorsement. The enthusiasm of the KAOS members is so inspiring and they are such an asset to arts and culture in Kingston!” Lucy has also returned to watercolours for her larger, more ambitious coloured pieces. In contrast to 13

Her experience in marketing means she has been keen to tactically develop and promote a modest ‘brand’ with her logo, stationary and Etsy shop. She has also created a light hearted tone of voice which is employed in all communications including her Twitter and Facebook presence so that everything has a touch of humour. She says “The great thing about KAOS is the huge variety of artists, mediums and approaches it encompasses, that’s why it’s such a perfect way for people in Kingston to enjoy and purchase art.” Find out more at www.etsy.com/ shop/LucyBirkbeckDesigns or contact Lucybirkbeckdesigns@hotmail.com

www.omnilocal.co.uk • Edition 44

HOME

Outdoor Care Summer’s here! Now you can get the most of your outside space. After all, your property doesn’t stop at the front or back door - give guests a great first impression or dazzle them with your garden area. Treat the outdoor area the same way you would with your living room, would you not spruce things up inside, knowing you have people on the way? Having an attractive outdoor space also increases the likelihood of a sale, if you are looking to sell your house during the Summer. Here are some ideas on how to own your space and keep it looking its best.

Supplied by: Leanna Carl - Omni Local

Check the Layout Make the most of what space you’ve got available. You may be able to utilise the space by moving around garden furniture, or you could find you have the space to fit a swing or a picnic table which could allow for some fun or tie things together. Consider what works for you and potential guests you want to invite round. Try to make sure all furniture allows for conversation and social situations if that’s what you’re looking for. Remove any Obstacles

your local professional to make things gleam, and allow for better views when you’re looking out from the inside. Frames may also need repairing/painting as well. It may also be time to wash any fabrics on deck chairs, cushions or table covers, as you may be realising how long it’s been since the last wash. Repairs and Replenishing

Don’t keep things cluttered - have a good clear away and allow for more visitors, or for your children to have a space to play in. If you need to, get your power washer out, or contact your local trades professional to give everything a good blast and see what a difference it makes. Or at very least, give it a good sweeping - I’m sure you’ve all noticed the difference it makes to a room when you’ve given the floors a scrub or hoovered the carpets. Clean and Refresh

Fence mending, wood staining, varnishing and sealing may be required to make things look as good as new, so set aside a day to get things sorted, or to ensure that your gate locks properly. Just make sure you know what products are applicable for the materials you have, and make sure the weather reports allow you to get the job done. You may need to make a day of it to give things time to dry and set, or to get to the shop and purchase what you need. Take care of your home, and when in doubt contact your local professional.

Give your windows a nice wash or contact

OmniLocal - Kingston Upon Thames • July 2016

LEARNING

Schoolwork in the holidays? Really??

Supplied by: Celia Osbourne NumberWorks’n’Words

How was your child’s school year? Fantastic, or are there a things to work on? Most children need to do a bit of school work over the Summer, but how to do it without tantrums? Handwriting: little ones love ‘feeling the shapes of letters. Paint c, o, a, d (with the correct formation!) on the fence or patio with water and a big brush, or use chalk. Trace letters or words in sand or gravel. Counting: skipping, throwing, and catching a ball. Don’t always count forwards but set a goal and count backwards – from 20, 50 even 100. Count in 2s, 25s, or with times tables. Capacity How many buckets or cups fill a big bucket? Does the watering hold more? What about a pot of a different shape? What about measuring in litres? Weight use bathroom scales to find out how much a big stone weighs. What does 5kgs of sand or gravel look like.

you’ll all be amazed by how good it sounds and could illustrate it.

Plants measure a sunflower’s growth each week, count the roses. How many more/less are there today than last week.

A folder of stories like this could be a great holiday memory.

Writing Teachers often suggest writing a diary. Great for your budding novelist, but her sibling? Remember, the most important thing about writing is content – if you don’t know what to write, you can’t write. When queuing for a ride, sitting in a restaurant or at the airport why not ‘people watch’? Focus on an unsuspecting stranger and (discreetly) imagine their life story, their family, what are they really doing? The more fantastical the better, but create some details. Perhaps invent a story about a castle you have visited or a mystery on the beach. When you get to your tent (or wherever) you write the story, but your child dictates. It might take a few minutes to get started, but once into it, they will probably be engrossed. After a few paragraphs, read it out – I bet

How can NumberWorks‘nWords help? If you’re around, arrange a free assessment and lesson at 152 Ewell Road. Just call Celia on 020 8399 1234 Kick start course. From August 30 – September 3 we’re open from 10 – 12 for assessments and a few hours of fun structured learning. Get your kids back into the swing of doing the writing themselves, tackling those maths questions or remembering their tables. Give us a ring for details.

www.omnilocal.co.uk • Edition 44

HEALTH & FITNESS

Avoiding Stress

Supplied by: Leanna Carl - Omni Local

Many of us have to deal with stress in our day-to-day lives. Stress can be unavoidable when you’ve got a strict deadline, or if you have a lot going on all at once - but it is dangerous, so preventable measures need to be put in place as often as possible. Stress not only affects you, but it can also be quite repellent for those around you when it starts affecting your mood. Here are some ways to minimize of stress throughout everyday life: Discuss stress factors with a friend or relative Note down any stress-triggers. You can pinpoint what sets off the bad days or creates those mood swings, and can seek help from those who care about you to find a way of working around them. It always helps to have support and to get some ideas on how to keep calm. Try some relaxation methods Practice deep breathing, or take up yoga/ meditation. These gentle methods can really soothe your system and make it easier to concentrate, and take things in stride. Not to mention, the more you breathe throughout an exercise or task, the less likely you are to raise your blood pressure.

Stay positive as often as possible Spending time with loved ones, having a weekend away somewhere fun, or a simple walk to untangle all those thoughts that have been weighing you down is the best medicine. Sometimes just taking a break from it all (even during hectic times) to have a cup of tea or coffee and to sit back and get organised could prove a lot better than working yourself crazy to get everything done right away. Take care of yourself! E.g: Cut back on alcohol, keep control of your diet and get plenty of sleep each night. There are tons of simple ways to improve your wellbeing, physically and mentally. You’ll be amazed what a difference it makes to watch your intake a little more closely and to get a good night’s rest. This doesn’t mean you can’t treat yourself once in a while or you have to hit the pillow around 10pm every night, but during peak times for work-stress or during personal problems that may cause a lot of anxiety - these simple changes can work wonders!

Relieve muscle tensions There is a reason that people seem to think taking a nap or a nice hot bath will make everything better - relaxing those muscles and relieving tension through rest, massage, or even a little bit of stretching really does help. Even simple movements of tilting your head from side to side and shrugging will relieve stress in your neck area and shoulders. 16

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www.omnilocal.co.uk • Edition 44

BEAUTY

Beauty Tips for the Summer Season

Supplied by: Leanna Carl - Omni Local

Extra bouts of sunshine can bring a glow to many faces and it’s when some people seem to shine the most. For others, myself included, we aren’t well equipped to handle sweltering conditions and may need a little extra help in looking and feeling good. Read on for tips on how to beat the heat and look your best. Cleansing and compacts You may notice your skin becoming more oily and using rich cleansers and creams can accelerate things. Switch things up with foaming gel washes and oil-free lotions (preferrably SPF 15 or higher). A smooth, clean canvas is best when it comes to your makeup routine. Carry a compact in your purse too, just in case of unwanted shininess – you’ll be able to fix it in a jiff. Don’t cover your entire face with lots of powder, as heavy makeup isn’t good for your skin and may look cakey, just lightly pat/brush the centre of your face (nose, forehead and chin regions).

need to know how to blend. You don’t have to stop at the face either, you can create the illusion of a slimmer chin, and some even dust it across their collarbone, shoulders and legs (if on show).

Lighten up on make-up

It can help your skin and your confidence to apply a gradual-tanning moisturiser, as this will easily give you an even touch of colour and smooth skin. Some lotions even come with a slight shimmer to really make things pop.

Thick foundations, dark lipsticks and heavy eyeliner are a lot better suited to the Autumn/Winter seasons – lighten things up and give yourself a more natural glow with tinted moisturisers, bronzing powder, lip gloss and a clear mascara. If you are looking for a little more colour/depth, opt for waterproof eyeliner, mascara or eye shadow to avoid running and smearing.

Give your hair a boost The best way to keep your hair looking and feeling healthy is to lay off of blow-drying and straightening as much as possible. Completely straightened hair can also lose body, and having a natural wave isn’t a bad thing.

Don’t go heavy on the bottom eyelid either, lower liner makes the eye look smaller and dusting a pale shadow/powder along the bottom eyelid will make your eyes pop more naturally/avoid mascara smudge. Bronzing and tanning Bronzer is not just for the constantly tanned, it can also work as a gentle contouring powder for more natural definition – you just

If you have fine hair, don’t condition all of it, just focus on the ends if you need. Dry shampoo can also give you a quick freshen up and volume boost when you need it towards the end of the day or between washes, just use it sparingly.

OmniLocal - Kingston Upon Thames • July 2016

GARDENING

July/August Gardening Tips

Supplied by: Janet Bacon

It is the holiday season but not for your garden plants and this means that a bit of attention now will promote more flowers for this year and prepare the plants for next year. A little light pruning Now is the time to prune Wisteria whippy side shoots. Cut the stems at about five leaves long, which will tidy the climber, but also encourage more side shoots. The stems will need to be shortened again in winter to promote the flowering spurs that we all love to see. It is also the best time to prune plum, apricot, peach and cherry trees, as the sap is rising and this will reduce the risk of these trees suffering from silver leaf dieback disease. Cordon, fan and espalier trained Apple and Pear trees should have their summer prune now. Always use a sharp pair of secateurs and cut back all new side shoots to just above a bud, leaving them about 7.5 cm long. Deadheading Bedding plants and perennials will need deadheading on a regular basis to encourage further flowering and keep them looking neat. Trim the spent flower stems on lavender plants to keep them compact. Cut back herbs to encourage new growth of tasty leaves. Watch out for Pests

Holiday Care If you are going away on holiday, move containers and hanging baskets into a shady part of the garden out of the sun, where they will need less watering. If you do not wish to move these, then consider installing a timer controlled drip-feed watering system from an outside tap, a watering spike, or if the plants are in a greenhouse - a watering mat fed by a reservoir hooked onto the metal glazing bars. Take notes and photos of your garden now to remind you of any changes that you would like to make next year, before all the growth starts. Garden visiting can also be a good source of ideas to improve your garden. The National Garden Scheme Yellow Book http://www. ngs.org.uk/ list gardens throughout the UK which are open for charity and the owners are on hand to answer questions on names and growing requirements for the plants.

Check your lilies for a pest called “Lily Beetle” which is a distinctive scarlet beetle. Any found should be removed and squashed, as these voracious pests will decimate your lilies overnight. This article was supplied by Leonie Wright from Eat Wright. Check the underside of the leaves for the sticky brown larvae, which should also be removed.

www.omnilocal.co.uk • Edition 44

The Cooking Corner Courgette Fritters with Salmon Serves 4 Ingredients: • • • • • • • •

1 courgette, grated 1 free range (organic) egg 10g plant protein powder 50g smoked salmon, cut into small pieces 2 tbsp finely chopped mint leaves 5 tbsp olive oil 100g low fat natural yoghurt Ground black pepper and Himalayan salt 7. Bake another 6 fritters with the rest of the mixture. 8. For the dip, mix the yoghurt with the rest of the mint and add salt and pepper to taste.

Method: 1. Dry the grated courgette with paper towels. 2. Whisk the egg with the protein powder and add salt and pepper to taste. 3. Mix the courgette, salmon and ¾ of the mint leaves trough the egg mixture. 4. Heat the olive oil in a frying pan and spoon 6 little heaps of the mixture into the pan. 5. Press flat with the round side of a spoon and fry on a high setting for 4-6 minutes till brown on both sides. 6. Once cooked lift the fritters out of the pan and drain on paper towels.

Nutritional value per fritter: Carbohydrates: 1½ Protein portion: ¼ Vegetable portion: ¼ Tips: You can easily take these fritters with you in an airtight container with some kitchen towel on the bottom. Store the fritters in an airtight container in the the fridge

OmniLocal - Kingston Upon Thames • July 2016

THIS YEAR’S BIGGEST SUMMER EVENTS IN KINGSTON

Supplied by: Leanna Carl - Omni Local

mer Sum out lPul ide Gu

This year there are some brilliant events coming up in and around Kingston! This pull out Summer Events guide will make it easier for you to keep up with each and every fantastic event coming up this season. There are various activities and celebrations to suit all tastes, for residents all over Surrey. From music lovers to culture enthusiasts, and sailors to cyclists, we highly recommend that you spread the word to your friends and family and let them know what’s in store! We are all so excited about this year’s International Youth Arts Festival, run by friends of Omni Local, The Creative Youth Charity and we know that 2016 is going to be better than ever! Everyone involved has been working incredibly hard to bring fun and entertainment into town this Season. 21

There are plenty of brilliant events lined up for you this year, such as: The Kingston River Festival and Regatta, TW12 Jazz Festival, Looking in Wonderland, Prudential Ride London Surrey, Malden Fortnight, Momentum Flower Show Exhibit and The Dragon Boat Challenge. Some of the events don’t even require an entry fee, so mark your calendar and head over! We hope you all have a wonderful, warm Summer. SEE YOU THERE! Photo Credits – Tangle Photography, London & Surrey Cycling Partnership, TW12 Jazz Festival, Kingston Rotary and Leanna Carl.

www.omnilocal.co.uk â&#x20AC;˘ Edition 44

SPECIAL FEATURE

Special Events 2016

Supplied by: Leanna Carl - Omni Local

International Youth Arts Festival Friday 8th July - Sunday 17th July This year brings the 8th International Youth Arts Festival in sunny Kingston Upon Thames. IYAF 2016 is jam packed with exciting, inspiring, thrilling and hilarious shows created by talented young folk from across the world. Stretching over 10 days IYAF will be filling every performance space available with performers and artists. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s music every night in venues across Kingston (and both weekends at the K-Town Live Market Stage), international photography exhibitions, dance showcases, Edinburgh bound stand-ups, circus acts along the river front, theatre blockbusters, experimental new writing and extreme sports competitions. www.iyafestival.org.uk Kingston Regatta & River Festival Saturday 9th July - Sunday 10th July The Kingston River Festival has been held annually in Kingston for more than 150 years. This event runs from 9:00am - 7:00pm and helps to bring schools, clubs and associations throughout the area together, to compete in almost 300 rowing races. The Kingston River Festival runs alongside the Regatta and highlights Kingston Maritime heritage. Many Olympians have graced the event for helping them in beginning their own rowing careers, so it could provide a great opportunity to look out for future rowing superstars. If you want to join in the fun, and spend some time on the river, remember to save the date! This July, hundreds of clubs and schools, both local and national will compete in over 275 races. www.kingstonregatta.co.uk 22

TW12 Jazz Festival Friday 21st July - Sunday 24th July We are delighted to be putting on the festival for the fourth consecutive year and thrilled to be staging some special events including two large scale new projects from Femi Temowo and Kate Williams. Once again we have musicians from around the world and have a great eclectic mix of styles and genres all very much under the umbrella of jazz! Along with the all day Sunday events in the Hampton Hill Theatre, we have three new venues. Saturday 23 July in the Normansfield Theatre in Hampton Wick, Teddington and Friday 22 July in the Oak Room in the United Reform Church in Hampton Hill and on Thursday 21 July we have a Jam Session at The Hampton Pub. As well as great live music, all events will provide refreshments and a brilliant atmosphere. www.tw12jazzfestival.co.uk/ Dragon Boat Challenge Sunday 17th July Come along to Canbury Gardens, Kingston to watch the spectacle of dragonboat racing from 9.30am until approx. 4.30pm. There is a childrens funfair, charity & amp; craft stalls and lots of food and drink, so bring the family and enjoy the day by the riverside. The teams that are booked to compete are working hard fundraising for their own charities, and our chosen charity Kingston Hospital Dementia Appeal. Kingston Rotary Club has run the DragonBoat Challenge for the last 15 years and is the largest competition of its type in the UK. www.kingstonrotaryclub.org.uk/dragon-boatchallenge

OmniLocal - Kingston Upon Thames • July 2016

Developments Plc, will feature beautiful willow sculptures designed by renowned sculptor Victoria Westaway, representing a Momentum family of two parents and their two children. The sculptures will be auctioned at a later date to raise funds for the charity. www.moment-um.org

Looking in Wonderland Friday 22rd July - Saturday 17th September Kingston Museum will be showing a selection of the best of Sir John Tennier’s illustrations to Lewis Carroll’s two Alice Books. Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass and what Alice found there were printed directly from the original wooden blocks. A major part of the success of these ever popular books was due to Tennier’s unique and imaginative illustrations, seen by many as the difinitive Alice imagery. The exhibition is accompanied with interactive activities for children, accessible in the gallery throughout the exhibition period. www.kingston.gov.uk

Momentum Flower Show Exhibit Tuesday 5th July – Sunday 10th July Momentum Children’s Charity in Kingston upon Thames is thrilled to have a dedicated Momentum Garden at RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show this July. Gardens and outside spaces have always featured greatly in Momentum’s work, with a charity having designed and constructed hospital play areas, gardens and even a vegetable garden. In conjunction with Tale Valley Nursery in Devon, the Momentum Garden at Hampton Court, sponsored by Chartridge 23

Malden Fortnight Friday 1st July – Sunday 17th July This year’s theme for the Malden Fortnight celebrations is “Best of British”. Featured events include: The Malden Camera Club Exhibition at the Methodist Church; a Fun Run & Kids Dash at Beverley Park; The Grand Parade on New Malden High Street; Scout Cream Teas at Tadworth Scout Hut; Funday Sunday at Beverley Park; The Gondoliers’ by Gilbert & Sullivan at the Methodist Church; Pottery, Arts & Crafts Exhibition at Malden Centre; Craft Fair on the High Street; School’s Out for Summer Disco at Tadworth Scout Hall; Beverley Park Allotments Open Afternoon; A Dog Show; Big Band Night and South lane Fun Day. www.maldenfortnight.com Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 Saturday 30th July – Sunday 31st July Developed by the Mayor of London and his agencies, Prudential RideLondon is a worldclass festival of cycling. The fourth edition will take place over the weekend of Saturday 30th July and Sunday 31st July 2016. There is no other closed-road event like it that combines the fun and accessible element of a free family ride in central London with the excitement of watching the world’s best professional cyclists race in the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey Classic and Prudential RideLondon Grand Prix. www.prudentialridelondon.co.uk

www.omnilocal.co.uk â&#x20AC;˘ Edition 44

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OmniLocal - Kingston Upon Thames • July 2016

IYAF FESTIVAL

in the fun - YEEEHAAAWWW!!! Includes themed toys, props and costumes. Play along with a variety of cool percussion instruments and dance your cowboy boots off!!!

With Creative Youth Charity Fri 8 Jul - Sun 17 Jul The International Youth Arts Festival Kingston (IYAF) returns this July for its triumphant eighth year. Showcasing the best theatre, music, dance, visual art, comedy, circus and spoken word from around the world, IYAF is fast becoming a mainstay on the arts festival calendar.

DINOSAUR ZOO Sat 30 Jul - Mon 1 Aug

With hundreds of events taking place during the festival, including more than 60 at the Rose, IYAF will bring all the colour, talent and imagination of today’s young people to Kingston for an inspiring ten days. A selection of the events programmed with this festival are currently available to book for. All events will go on sale on Mon 9 May. WILD WEST SINGALONG UNA COELLO GUITAR GIRL Sat 23 Jul Una Coello Guitar Girl is a children’s musician and entertainer whose Singalongs introduce little ones to the joys of music, rhythm and rhyme in a fun, friendly environment. Following her highly successful PIRATES singalong in September, Una is delighted to bring you a WILD WEST themed show. There’ll be great songs and kids are encouraged to dress up in their cowboy/cowgirl gear and join 25

A fun filled family show which promises to leave you on the edge of your seat! Dare to get up close and personal! Back by popular demand, Dinosaur Zoo returns to Kingston, now introducing the Tyrannosaurus Rex to the stage. From cute baby dinos to teeth-gnashing giants, marvel and interact with extraordinary life-like dinosaurs in this imaginative and hilarious live show. Recommended 3yrs+ THE HOLLYWOOD SPECIAL EFFECTS SHOW Sat 6 Aug - Sun 7 Aug Get closer to the action than ever before as this interactive and explosive family show takes you behind the scenes of your favourite films to discover the science and secrets of creating movie magic. Feel the heat from an inferno, marvel at gruesome sci-fi monsters, be blown away by apocalyptic weather and hold on tight through huge explosions! Recommended 6yrs+

www.omnilocal.co.uk • Edition 44

EVENT LISTINGS

Local Events Feel Good Fridays (Weekly) From £5 per hour Drop-in sessions for over 60’s Yoga from 12pm – 1.30pm and Chair Yoga from 2.45pm. Therapeutic Massages 9 – 5 for ½ hr. Put yourself in safe hands for the cure and prevention of pain through remedial massage therapy. Call 07958 459 725 for more information. Location: Surrey House, Eden Street, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey KT1 1ER Strata – A Stitched Excavation (From Wednesday 5th October – Sunday 23rd October 2016) Free Entry An exhibition by Phoenix Contemporary Textile Group. From Monday – Saturday at 10am – 4pm and on Sundays from 11am – 4pm. Members of the Phoenix Contemporary Textile Group are lively, like-minded textile artists working in diverse methods and media: stitch, cloth, paper, felt, dye and paint. Call 01932 254 198 or visit www. phoenixcontemporarytextiles.com For more information. Location: Robert Phillips Gallery, Riverhouse, Manor Road, Walton on Thames, Surrey KT12 2PF The Live Playlist (Every Wednesday) Free Entry Join Pizza Express Kingston for delicious food and a collection of vibrant, energetic music and popular song covers from top musicians. Music starts from 8pm. Call 020 8546 2245 or visit www. pizzaexpresslive.com Location: 41 High Street, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey KT1 1LQ 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. 26

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) Outside the Box Comedy Club (Fortnightly on Mondays from 11th July 2016) 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. Head to your local for some top comedy performances. Book tickets at: www. outsidetheboxcomedy.co.uk. Location: The Fighting Cocks Pub, 56 Old London Road, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey KT2 6QA Momentum Flower Show Exhibit (From 5th – 10th July 2016) See website for prices Momentum Kingston is thrilled to have a dedicated Momentum garden at RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show. Featuring constructed hospital play areas, gardens and vegetable patches and beautiful willow sculptures to be auctioned at a later date to raise funds. Visit www.moment-um.org for more information. Location: Hampton Court Palace, Surrey KT8 9AU The Gondoliers (Wednesday 6th July 2016) Tickets: £10 Malden Community Choir presents Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Gondoliers. This performance also includes refreshments, available from Malden Centre (managed by Places for People Leisure Ltd. In partnership with Kingston Council). Visit www.maldenfortnight.com for more information. Location: Methodist Church, New Malden High Street, Surrey, KT3 4BY

OmniLocal - Kingston Upon Thames • July 2016

In The Cinema

(Scan the QR Codes to see the trailers)

Absolutely Fabulous

Supplied by: Leanna Carl city at all of London’s hottest venues. All seems well with the pair, until an accident at a huge fashion event leads them into some serious PR problems.

It’s finally happened! Everyone’s favourite boozeloving, glamour-seeking and down right hilarious female duo have finally hit the big screen! Fans of the show will definitely not be disappointed to see the return of these two, with truly outrageous situations and the usual slapstick comedy that follows these ladies around. Edina Monsoon (Jennifer Saunders) and Patsy Stone (Joanna Lumley) are still as fabulous as ever, living the high life in the way they’ve always done; with shopping, clubbing and drinking – taking full advantage of the

The world seems to be blaming them for the latest crazy incident to end up in the news and they are continuously harrassed by the paparazzi. The only solution that comes to mind is to flee the country and hide out in the gorgeous French Riviera. They then find themselves living a complete life of luxury and begin hatching a plan to figure out how to make their new life permanent and to finally escape the press. Will they get their dream lifestyle and put all the media madness behind them? Make sure you get down to the cinema for this, you won’t want to miss it!

Out on DVD

How to be Single to break things off with her long-term boyfriend after finishing four years of college, and is beginning to realise how “out of the game” she is.

This one might come across as your run-of-the-mill chick flick, however I am sure for the majority of those who give it a watch, be it a significant other who’s forced into it or a group of friends enjoying a movie night, you will all be laughing and loving it. The story follows the lives of four different women: Alice (Dakota Johnson, star of 50 Shades of Grey), Robin (the hilarious Rebel Wilson of Pitch Perfect), Meg (comedy film regular Leslie Mann) and Lucy (Alison Brie - Lego Movie). Robin has recently decided 27

Upon moving to the big city and taking up a new job as a paralegal, everything seems new to Alice. Fortunately a friendly force named Robin is around to help her through the changes and teach her the ways of getting free drinks, meeting new people and enjoying being single. New York is just brimming with lonely people looking for love, friendship, or short-term relationships, but what they all have in common is that they need to learn how being single works in the world today, with evolving definitions and concepts of love. It turns out there are wrong ways and right ways to live the single life, and hilarity ensues through some valuable teachings and awkward situations.

www.omnilocal.co.uk • Edition 44

DIY

Repairing a Pull Cord Light Switch

Supplied by: Leanna Carl - Omni Local

Repairing a faulty switch may be the type of job that’s easier to leave to a professional, and you have to make sure to isolate the electrical supply before you even attempt to start repairs. However, it can be doable yourself if you’re up to the challenge, or you can at least find out how small the problem is first. Here’s how: Separate the switch from the backplate Remove the screws holding the switch and back plate together, and spray with WD40 to lubricate the inner area. Whilst holding the switch with one hand, gently pull the cord to see if the springs have been freed. If it doesn’t work properly, you’ll know the switch definitely needs replacing. With heavy duty 45A switches, the springs are stronger and you’ll hear a click when pulling the cord to switch on. The method for replacing this kind of switch is the same as a 6A version, but switches can differ in terms of poles. Repairing the switch 1. With the electrical supply isolated, seek out the circuit breaker on the distribution board and remove the fuse. Most switches have a neon indicator that turns orange or red when the supply is still on.

the neon light is on, and not just flickering. Secure all remaining screws. Replacing the Cord The cord should be in 2 sections, with a connector in between. Therefore, if its just the long part that’s broken, you can add a replacement, but the length may need adjusting. Pull the cord from the finial and cut to the desired length, but remember to leave room for the know. Next, cover the finial. Replacement finials are available at your local DIY store.

2. Remove the remaining screws, and pull down the switch slightly. Spray again with WD40 and test. If it doesn’t work, the whole unit will need replacing.

Electrical DIY can be risky and an amateur can only take care of so many areas safely. If you are at all unsure about working on your electrics, get in touch with a local professional – we have plenty to recommend!

3. Make sure you remember how the wires are connected to the switch. There should only be two wires to disconnect, and they may be identical and red, or for a newer circuit could be blue or brown. 4. Connect each wire of your new switch and tighten the screws, pulling the wire from either side to check it is connected properly. 5. Refit the backplate and switch, making sure not to trap the wires and screw into place. Pull the cord to check it functions normally. 6. Reconnect the power supply, checking

OmniLocal - Kingston Upon Thames • July 2016

RESIDENTIAL ACCOUNTANT

Financial Problems

Supplied by: Goddards Accountants Kingston Ltd

In our present economic climate, many people are facing financial difficulties; often not of their own making. That is; they have been made redundant; have had their salary reduced; been put onto zero hour contracts etc. There is a free, impartial debt advice charity that can help, namely “Debt Advice”. If you have a debt problem, Debt Advice Foundation can help you understand

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www.omnilocal.co.uk • Edition 44

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OmniLocal - Kingston Upon Thames • July 2016

LOCAL TRADES

We at Omni Local urge you all to support your

readers informed, we need your help! There

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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

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www.omnilocal.co.uk • Edition 44

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OmniLocal - Kingston Upon Thames • July 2016

First Exchange Travel Money We are here to help with all your Travel Money needs. Did you know that we are in Bentalls Department store on the 2nd floor adjacent to Customer Services? We will make the process uncomplicated, convenient and always provide you with good value. Everything is clearly displayed with no hidden messages – the rate displayed is the rate you receive. You will note that our rates on offer are very competitive. Wherever you travel to we can almost certainly provide the currency you require. We currently trade in over 50 currencies and with most currencies available without the need to order it is easy to buy what you need. If we don’t have what you need in stock most requirements can be met within a couple of days Our experienced staff will be pleased to assist with your currency questions and please be aware that some key holiday destinations in Europe do not have the Euro as their currency! For example: Croatia - Kuna; Bulgaria - Lev; Hungary Forint; Switzerland - Franc; Sweden - Kronor; Turkey - Lira. For your convenience our bureau is open 7days a week.

TRAVEL Supplied by: Laurie Clay - FirstExchange Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri and Sat 9.30-18.00 Thurs 9.30-20.00 & Sun 11.00-17.00 All currency can be purchased with cash or a debit card without charges; if a credit card is used it is seen as a cash transaction so a charge would be applied by the card company. Please bring photo ID for card transactions and for those requiring larger sums, additional ID and information is required to comply with Money Laundering regulations. If you should have any currency left at the end of your holidays we will be pleased to buy it back at very good rates. Remember when you are selling the lower the number provided will give you the most money so, for example 1.4 is better than 1.5. You will find that First Exchange will give you a great deal. If you are finding out about First Exchange for the first time we hope that you will consider using our service. A very positive start to your holiday!

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www.omnilocal.co.uk â&#x20AC;¢ Edition 44

OmniLocal - Kingston Upon Thames • July 2016

FINANCE

Key Issues for Urgent Action in 2016 There are numerous issues to address in financial planning this year, but none as important as the massive changes in pensions and in taxation brought in by the Government. The common thread is the potential big tax bills faced by higher earners and people with second/buy-tolet properties. Although the focus has been on the possible benefits of pension freedom, there is no great discussion on the lowering of the lifetime allowance (LTA) from £1.25m to £1m from April 2016. This means that people who are already above the £1m must act as soon as possible to protect their allowance. People who have less but could exceed the limit in the future also need to examine their choices now. Some examples of people affected by the changes are senior executives in companies, local authorities, hospital consultants, GPs, dentists, lawyers and also senior executives who have deferred pensions from companies and local authorities. The second area is the introduction of a new term, adjusted income which is used to evaluate the limit of your tax reliefs on annual pension contributions. As the final figures for your adjusted income are not fully known until the tax year end, you could have made unauthorised pension payments in good faith during the year, which would then retrospectively trigger big tax bills. This nightmare scenario again needs to be addressed by the same senior executives and professionals as above. Contact me to review your particular situation and how you could mitigate this. The other area of major concern is the additional stamp duty on sale of second

Supplied by: Mukesh Savani properties and the restriction of mortgage interest tax relief on buyto-let properties announced in the Autumn Statement. This again could lead to massive tax bills for people with mortgages on their buy-to-let properties. The lesson of all these changes is to take advice early and explore prudent options to mitigate the effects of the potentially massive tax charges. Don’t wait till the tax bill arrives, but review your own individual circumstances now. So, what’s the next step? A good start is to contact me for an initial meeting at no cost to you. After which, it would be clear if there are any issues to be addressed and then we can work together on creating a strategy and timescale of actions. If you would like to learn more about your options and opportunities, please call Mukesh Savani on 0800 093 8647/07948 543839 or email mukesh@ savaniconsultancy.com. About Savani Consultancy Savani Consultancy is a full-service financial consultancy firm advising on financial planning and strategy for senior executives and professionals. The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate taxation and trust advice. Mukesh Savani MBA DipPFS Senior Consultant

www.omnilocal.co.uk • Edition 44

MOTORING SECTION

Watch Those Wheels

Supplied by: Leanna Carl-Omni Local

In order to maintain your vehicle, you need to take into account what the autoparts go through - for example, your tyres may not have been changed in a long time. Many drivers only notice tyre problems when it’s as serious as a puncture. Below are some ideas on how to prolong the life of your tyres and keep your vehicle running smoothly. It is always important to carry a spare If you’re going on a road trip or taking a particularly long drive, it is very possible that one of your tyres (hopefully not more than one!) may let you down, and having a back-up can really save your life. It’s also worthwhile to keep an eye on your tools, such as a car jack and wrench, and ensure you’ve got a pair of gloves in the boot, as changing a tyre isn’t the cleanest job. Fitting wheel valves The valves are an important part of a wheel, despite how small they are. Not only does it help to regulate tyre pressure, but it helps to contain pressure inside the wheel. These valves can become damaged over time, and will therefore benefit from regular replacements whenever a new tyre is fitted. Keeping the valves clean will increase their lifespan a little longer.

specialist and deemed repairable. Tyres should not be repaired, however, if they begin to show signs of deterioration. If a tyre is cracked, has exposed cords or has a tread of 1.6mm or less, there isn’t a very high chance that a repair will help at all. Balance the wheels If your wheels aren’t properly balanced, driving can become more uncomfortable and can eventually become more costly for your vehicle in getting the problem sorted. It can also cause premature wear of your steering components and rotating parts if you don’t ensure that your tyres are even.

Don’t rotate your tyres too often Many tyre manufacturers agree that you shouldn’t rotate your tyres these days. This is because partially worn tyres are more prone to puncturing, and because your vehicle will be easier to control in the case of an unexpected front tyre deflation. Replacements aren’t always necessary Tyre repairs can be a better option for you, provided that it is checked over by a

Get a check-up It is always a good idea to get some advice from your local vehicle professional, especially if you don’t have a lot of time to inspect the tyres by yourself. During an MOT, the tyre tread marks are usually examined, as well as the sizing and structure of each tyre, therefore some tyre problems can actually cause your MOT test to fail. Regular maintenance is very important.

OmniLocal - Kingston Upon Thames • July 2016

PROPERTY

Going it Alone

Supplied by: Lucie White & Company

- Advice from one of the UK’s million female entrepreneurs, Lucie White In the UK today, almost a million small- to medium-sized businesses are headed up by women. Although that number is rising, the Government’s ‘Business is Great’ campaign believes that there would be a million more if women were to set up new businesses at the same rate as men. We spoke to local businesswoman Lucie White to find out how and why she set up her own lettings and property management company back in 2007. Why did you decide to start your own business? I trained as an estate agent straight after university, working with some of the major high street firms and becoming ARLA qualified. It was a great start to my career and invaluable experience, but I began to feel that I could offer my clients a better service if I didn’t have to work within the confines of a standardised agency framework. I was convinced that a more personal, hands-on approach would be of huge value to landlords and tenants alike. What was the most important decision you made in those early days? To start small, build up steadily and make sure that every single interaction with clients showed me and my company in the best possible light. From the start, we treated every landlord, tenant and property as individual, taking each set of circumstances into account and tailoring our services accordingly. Because of this attention to detail, our client list grew purely through word-of-mouth, as more and more people recommended us to their friends and business associates. That is still the case today. What are you most proud of? Over the years, our tenants have become landlords, our landlords have grown their portfolios and we have continued to offer the same level of care to each of them. Client feedback tells us that our approach works across the board and as a result we work in a 37

very happy and rewarding environment. In almost ten years, we have lost only a handful of landlords through relocation – and never to a competitive agency! What advice would you give to someone considering starting out alone? Trust your instinct, and then work as hard as you can to get your idea and your company off the ground. It can feel quite lonely at times, so don’t be afraid to seek out local networking groups where you can meet other like-minded entrepreneurs to bounce ideas off. When you have a little money stashed away, a business coach or mentor can be helpful too. Lucie White is the owner and founder of Lucie White & Company, offering property services and advice to private landlords across South West London and Surrey. If you’d like to find out more about their fresh take on lettings and property management, visit lucie@ luciewhite.com or call 020 8549 8064.

www.omnilocal.co.uk â&#x20AC;¢ Edition 44

OmniLocal - Kingston Upon Thames â&#x20AC;¢ July 2016

WORD SEARCH Autumn Find the words hidden in the grid of letters.

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

Q Q M Z N H O W A H T I O P

P U N L R D M F E S D I D E

M I I N O E Y X Y A U V Z F

O N K Q C O B A P U F F E Z

C O P E H A H M R Q W A K C

T X M W M A N C E S S N A Z

O Z U P T T R N S T O U R I

B N P S U C B V I V P W N X

E S O R C O L H E N Z E D X

R R K V Z L U M I S G K S M

F E H V W D B N S B T M M Y

Y N O S A E S W T T I P M I

A S P O R C N F A R M I N G

CANNING CHILLY COLD CROPS EQUINOX FALL FARMING FEAST FROST HALLOWEEN HARVEST HAYSTACK NOVEMBER OCTOBER PUMPKIN RAKE SCHOOL SEASON SEPTEMBER SQUASH THANKSGIVING TURKEY WINDY

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

www.omnilocal.co.uk • Edition 44

RESTAURANT REVIEW

The Boaters Inn, Canbury Gardens What a wonderful location, right by the river, surrounded by Canbury Gardens, with a fenced patio/beer garden and balcony seating. Whether you want a quiet, intimate meal or family gathering (dogs welcome too) you can find it here. The staff were warm, friendly and helpful. The atmosphere was lively, but not noisy with a mix of contemporary and classic décor, and seating overlooking the river to watch the sunset. There are plenty of flavourful food options available, from vegetarian or seafood to massive Ale-braised Jacob’s Ladder beef long ribs, which stumped even those of us with enormous appetites! We did manage to choose a dessert – once we finally made a decision from the mouthwatering selection: Eton mess sundae, strawberry & vanilla ice cream, fresh strawberries and meringue – absolutely heavenly – highly recommended. With a CAMRA certificate the ale lovers were certainly content. Real ale from local and national microbreweries are on offer; they sometimes have special events to celebrate

certain breweries too. Non ale drinkers aren’t left out either, thanks to the extensive wine list . For jazz lovers, there is a free weekly Jazz music evening every Sunday from 8 pm, well worth a visit! Nearby parking is also available, or it’s a 10 minute walk to Kingston town centre. Thanks again to the great staff! CONGRATULATIONS TO LAST MONTH’S WINNER, LUCY FINDLATER – WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED YOUR MEAL AT TASTE OF TURKEY!

OmniLocal - Kingston Upon Thames • July 2016

JobSpot Account Management Administrator required to work for a dynamic company. Excellent administration skills required. Salary: £19,000. Email: beverley.pope@absolutelyrecruitment.co.uk Or call: 020 8546 8686

Delegate Management Assistant required for an exciting and fast paced events company. Competitive salary! Email: anne.lapham@absolutelyrecruitment.co.uk Or call: 020 8546 8686 Calling bright graduates looking to start a career in globally recognised companies as entry level administrator/customer service. Competitive salaries. Email: georgina.carter@absolutelyrecruitment.co.uk Or call: 020 8546 8686 Accounts Assistant required to work within a small friendly team. Preferably AAT qualified with previous experience in a similar role. Salary: £23,000-£25,000 depending on experience. Email: georgina.carter@absolutelyrecruitment.co.uk Or call: 020 8546 8686

Telemarketing Executive required for a local partnership company. Preferably with experience within a B2B telesales environment. Salary: £22,000 plus commission. 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 salaries. Email: beverley.pope@absolutelyrecruitment.co.uk Or call: 020 8546 8686

Send us your job listing for free. Just call us: 0207 183 0404

www.omnilocal.co.uk â&#x20AC;˘ Edition 44

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OmniLocal - Kingston Upon Thames â&#x20AC;¢ July 2016

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Kingston Property experts, with a team dedicated to premium customer service. 97%* exposure to the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most visited residential property websites. 6 times winner of Lettings Agent of the Year in the last 6 years.** 13-15 Richmond Road, Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey KT2 5BW Tel: 020 3151 6435 Email: lettings.kingston@gpees.co.uk * of the visits to the most visited UK residential property websites. Hitwise Oct 2013 ** 2013, 2010 & 2008 Negotiator Awards, 2012 RESI Awards, 2010 & 2011 ESTAS Awards as part of Countrywide Residential Lettings.