March 2016 issuu 106

Month: March 2016 Issue No: 106 Independent monthly community news and business directory for KT5 & KT6

Delivered free each month to homes in Berrylands, plus Surbiton or Tolworth

Exclusive Interview with Paul Rankin, including one of his recipes.

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Hello Readers, This is Spring!! I’ve noticed the daffodil bulbs coming through, and the signs are good for some fantastic blooms. But the birds seem to be confused by the mild weather, as we’ve noticed some of the blue tit families are bringing youngsters into the garden already.

quick call or an email will usually get you the information you will need to get started. I really look forward to hearing from you soon.

This month, I am featuring the interview with Paul Rankin on the Britannia cruise.

He is such a garrulous chap!! I have had such a difficult time, deciding what to exclude from his chat!! I hope you enjoy his talk. And of course, Paul is also well known for his range of Irish food, sold under the Rankin Selection label.

Early planning is always best, so if you are arranging an event in the summer, include an advert or a listing in your local magazine, A Berrylands Companion.

I am sure that the readers of the magazine appreciate the opportunity to find local businesses and trades in one place. So if you have a business, or are starting a new business, why not advertise in A Berrylands Companion magazine? A

There are a few new advertisers in this issue, but we could still feature more!

Just a reminder to turn the clocks forward this month.

Best wishes,

Karen

Useful Numbers Kingston Council www.kingston.gov.uk Action Fraud (Trading Standards) Refuse Collection Electoral Registration Council Tax Citizens Advice Customs & Excise (VAT) Inland Revenue Helpline Environmental Agency Surbiton Library Kingston Police Non Emergency Police Emergency Services Non Emergency NHS Transport: National Rail Enquiries Public Transport Traveline Gatwick Airport Heathrow Airport

020 8547 5757 020 8547 4654 020 8547 5560 020 8547 4630 020 8547 5196 0870 126 4019 0845 010 9000 08459 000 444 0870 850 6506 020 8547 6444 020 8541 1212 101 999 111

Emergencies/Utilities: Gas Emergency Electricity Emergency Water Emergency BT Fault Line Virgin Media Crimestoppers Kingston Hospital Childline Samaritans Age Concern Kingston Relate www.relatekh.org Domestic Violence Helpline www.victimsupport.org.uk Surbiton Safer Neighbourhood Team based at YMCA

0800 111 999 0800 783 8866 0845 920 0800 0800 800 151 0845 142 0000 0800 555 111 020 8546 7711 0800 1111 0845 790 9090 0800 00 99 66 020 8549 3318 020 8547 3202 020 8721 2518

08457 484 950 0870 608 2608 0844 335 1802 0844 335 1801 A Berrylands Companion 18 Kingsdowne Road, Surbiton, KT6 6JZ 020 8274 0096 karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk www.berrylands-companion.co.uk Please mention A Berrylands Companion when responding to adverts

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Be Our ‘Guest for a Day!’ Great FREE Offer from Surbiton Racket and Fitness Club!

says Roy Staniland

Y

es, it’s true! You can try out our splendid Club for a whole day, absolutely free of charge!

It’s easy. All you need do is text 63333 with your name and email address, or alternatively speak to one of our Staff on 0208 399 1594. This Offer is available only until March 31st 2016.

When you visit us, you’ll find that our Club offers more and more varied facilities than any similar club in the vicinity. That’s why Surbiton Racket and Fitness Club is buzzing all the year round. There’s always something going on!

The Studio Next door to the Fitness Suite is our Studio, where we run regular classes on Zumba, Pilates, Yoga and Indoor Cycling. And you can enjoy Cardiotennis and Racketball too.

Massage and Physio We offer Professional Sports Massage in its own dedicated Studio. This has become extremely popular along with our Physiotherapy facility, which is run in conjunction with Kingston Physiotherapy.

Tennis

The Social Scene

Our eleven magnificent grass courts are receiving their winter intensive care at the moment, making them ready for the new summer season starting in May.

You’ll find that ours is above all a very friendly club with a lot of social activities to enjoy. For example, our regular Quiz Nights are usually over-subscribed well in advance.

But there’s plenty of hard-court tennis for our Members, all the year round. We have nine fastdraining hard courts, and three of these are laid in synthetic clay, which has become first choice for many of our players. What’s more, two of our hard courts are enclosed in The Dome for the darker six months, so we can guarantee tennis whatever the weather. Evening tennis is a feature of the Club, and most of our hard courts are floodlit.

The Clubhouse

Squash and Racketball These are popular attractions throughout the year at Surbiton Racket and Fitness Club. We have four state-of-the-art courts which are air-conditioned and heated as required. Squash Club Night is a special attraction every Saturday from 5.30pm onwards. It’s always a lot of fun, and you can meet new players.

There’s also a Beginners’ Night on Sunday from 5pm to 6pm. And if you really want to improve your game, we have our own Squash Coach whom you can book for whenever it suits you.

The central feature of the Club is our friendly Clubhouse, where we all meet to chat and relax with coffee or a drink, and where cooked meals can be ordered from our menu.

I hope to see you soon, perhaps as a Day Guest.

Or just come and look round. You could have an interesting time! Perhaps I should mention that we have recently introduced a number of new Memberfriendly membership options at the Club. One that is especially popular is Off Peak Gym Membership, which applies to weekdays only and up to 5pm. This offers remarkable value – the use of our splendid Fitness Suite at Off Peak times for only £112 for three months or £360 for a full year. At just £30 a month* it’s a real bargain. Our growing Junior Membership also benefits from very generous terms.

With so much on offer, what are you waiting for? We would be delighted to show you round!

Fitness Suite

Best wishes

When you come to see us, make sure you visit our Fitness Suite, where you’ll find some of the most advanced fitness aids, from cardiovascular to resistance machines and free weights. The Suite is spacious and extends over two floors and it’s a focus for our Members who find it invaluable for maintaining winter fitness.

Roy

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Roy Staniland is Director of Surbiton Racket and Fitness Club, Berrylands, KT5 8JT

0208 399 1594 www.surbiton.org * terms and conditions apply

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email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

5

Life In The Fast Lane: A WakeUp Call For Older Drivers?

by Kate McLelland 81-year-old retired florist Martha Harwood from Lancashire was driving home at night after visiting a friend, when she found that a once-familiar road layout had changed.

Momentarily confused, she took a turning she believed would get her back onto the M65 motorway. Unfortunately she failed to notice the huge ‘No Entry’ sign and drove onto an exit slip road.

Seconds later Martha found herself driving in the fast lane, going the wrong way down the motorway. She continued for over fifteen miles, forcing a number of terrified drivers to swerve out of her way until police officers pulled her over.

Thankfully no one was killed in the incident but accidents caused by elderly car users frequently result in injury and death, and the number is set to rise in future: by the year 2035 the number of older drivers on our roads will have increased to 21 million. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) is against setting a maximum age for driving, but does suggest that older drivers undergo formal medical checks at each 3-yearly licence renewal after the age of 70.

In November last year the

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General Medical Council (GMC) published a public consultation proposing changes to the rules surrounding GP/patient confidentiality. One proposal was that GPs should inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) if a patient continues to use a car after having been diagnosed as medically unfit to drive, with the consequence that they will almost certainly lose their licence.

However, short of following patients out of the surgery to see if they drive away, doctors have no way of telling if a patient is still using their car and families and communities should continue to remain vigilant.

The AA offers some simple tips to reduce risk: • Older people are more easily fatigued so they should avoid long journeys, especially if they are driving after meals or drinking alcohol.

• Encourage them to talk to their GP to see if their medical conditions are likely to affect their driving, either now or in future.

• Make sure they have regular eye tests.

• Get them to agree to a list of restrictions that might

preclude them from driving in the dark, on busy roads or in bad weather.

• Older people are sometimes reluctant to take advice from family members: enlist the help of a mutual friend who shares your concerns.

• Make sure they are driving the right car. One with larger windows, bigger mirrors and higher seats might improve all-round vision.

If you have tried everything and still believe that your elderly friend or relative is driving unsafely, it may be time to sit them down for a serious conversation. If they are heavily dependent on using a car, they may need to consider other lifestyle changes, such as moving to a different area.

Alternatively, offering regular lifts or providing information about public transport may soften the blow.

While it’s hard to tell a person who loves driving that it’s time to stop, it may help to remember that in the event of an accident a frail, older body is more likely to suffer serious injuries. This decision is therefore as much for their own good as it is for those unfortunate, innocent road users who may become their victims.

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Long Ditton Yoga Friendly yoga classes for all levels - beginners welcome.

Would you like to:

be fitter? be more flexible? reduce your stress levels?

Tuesday Wednesday Thursday

6:45 - 8:15 pm 9.30 - 11.00 am 6:45 - 8:15 pm

& & &

8:30 - 10:00 pm 11:15 - 12:45 pm 8:30 - 10:00 pm

Long Ditton Parish Hall KT6 5LE. www.longdittonyoga.co.uk enquiries@longdittonyoga.co.uk or call Carolyn on 020 8390 9522

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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Fruiterer & Greengrocer

155 Surbiton Hill Park, Berrylands, Surbiton Tel: 020 8399 5550 Mob: 07753 690 518 Fax: 020 8390 9231

Fruits in Season

Vegetables in Season

Satsumas, Clementines, Melons, All Berries, Fresh Figs, Fresh Dates, Avocado, Plums, New crop William Pears, Yorkshire Grown Indoor Rhubarb

Broccoli, Cauliflower, Carrots Parsnips, Romanesca, Rainbow Chard, Spring Cabbage, Leeks, Curly Kale, Turnips, All Fresh Herbs

We have the following available: Dairy products, milk, cream, yogurt, cheese and fresh bread daily

We can supply any items for your special occasion - 24 hours notice required.

Please contact us to discuss your requirements: Tel: 020 8399 5550

Daily delivery & 24 hr answering service. All types of restaurants, bars, cafes, schools, pubs, nursing homes and deli bars supplied.

Free Local Home Delivery Available

‘Working with nature for a greener future’ Services include:

Garden Maintenance Hedge/Shrub Pruning Garden Clearance Landscape Construction For further enquiries please contact:

Rob: 07738298391 James: 07741262226 enquiries@crystal-landscapes.co.uk

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PIANO LESSONS by experienced L.T.C.L, L.R.S.M teacher

29 Parkside Crescent, Surbiton, KT5 9HT

Pupils coached for Practical and Theory examinations and for fun For more information:

Tel: 020 8241 9784 07471 505 638

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Parties Wedding Receptions Afternoon Wedding ReceptionsAfternoon Tea Late Licence Christenings Late Lice Christenings Live MusicLive Musi Canape Parties Canape Parties Private Functions Tailored M Private Functions Tailored Menus To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096 email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk 9

Paul Rankin interviewed on Britannia

P

aul Rankin is another of the P&O's Hero Chefs and he joined Britannia at Tenerife , only his 2nd cruise, and thought it a bit rocky!! Rob, the chef in charge of the Cookery School advised him to embrace it don't fight it, take small steps.

Asked about his start into cookery, Paul said he thinks it is hard when leaving school, as most people don't have enough life experience to know what to do. He grew up in Belfast, it was dark, and had never been on holidays abroad. He quickly decided he did not want to go to university, so went travelling and met a wonderful Canadian girl, Jeanne, who became his wife, and they went back to Vancuver. He faked it as a waiter, became good at it, learnt that the bigger, the fancier the restaurant, the bigger the tips and the better the food.

He got interested, so went in an hour before his shift to learn and practice. Dabbled at home, “Chef found me practising and gave me little jobs like skinning fish, stripping rhubarb. I had been travelling, so when I started at 24, I was told it was too late to start.” By the time he had a Michelin star, he was told he was too young!! Paul said people talk a lot of junk!

Paul had no formal training... “I’m a bit bonkers, wear my heart on my sleeve....”

During his travels, he met some folk in Australia and one knew the Roux brothers.

“He was a chef at a restaurant, who said if I was serious, I should go back to London, the brothers were helping new chefs. I had read about the Roux Brothers helping protegés set up their own restaurants. I decided to come back to work for them. Although I had never worked in a kitchen, I wrote a passionate letter to Albert, I wanted to learn and devote life to cooking. I got a letter back, from Michel. Albert is semi retired, a charismatic talented cook who took me & my wife out to dinner. Albert is a real lady's man, my wife was very gorgeous, so......! He probably thought, he can work as a dishwasher, she can have a job in charge of private dining at Park restaurant. . She got to serve Albert in bed.”

Paul worked hard, “I am very determined, I worked darned hard, obsessed. Given the chance to wash up in Gavroche, I got to see the chefs at work, see the food, see the copper pans and feel the energy. I worked hard at that, and they could see that, see my intuitive, and moved to the kitchen, to doing vegetables, a big promotion, but I was terrible, a complete amateur!! To go into the best kitchen in the world , the best in UK, as a complete amateur!!”

Paul recalled, it was tough. "They called me slasher, at one time I had a finger cuff on every finger on my left

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hand, and I had to get my wife to tie my shoelaces in the morning, it was so tough, so hard. Kitchens are like any working environment, full of banter, but a bit cruel."

He wouldn’t give in, but began to get the skills and started to make in roads to succeeding, spending the next 3 years with Gavrouche. 1st kitchen I worked in was the best in UK, the world. Credit to that restaurant to where I am now. You need passion, determination.

“I ended up working in Napa valley, it’s like the Garden of Eden, loved it, but the chap I worked for was a crook, owed us a lot of money, he was ripping us off. But I started to get noticed by other chefs in California, building a good reputation, working with some of the big wine makers. The kids were getting bigger, Jeanne was pregnant again, and my brothers said that now was the time to return & open my own restaurant in Belfast.

The bombing had stopped, it was safe! So sad to leave California, I love California ,but happy to bring family back to Belfast.”

“It was 1989, and I only started cooking in 1984, so in my own head, I had to give myself permission to call myself a chef, yet... I hadn’t quite got to the stage where I dared to think that I could. I was still trying to nurture my skills.

But I wanted to open my own business, and as I had a family to provide for, we opened what we thought was a brasserie in Belfast. After a year I was in a meeting with my accountant and my brothers, who had given me some money to start the restaurant.”

The accountant said: This isn’t working, you’ve lost 60 grand in the first year quarter..... need to do a more profitable style restaurant. Pizza, pasta are more profitable but what one. The phone rang, and it was my manager on the phone. She was incoherent, she said the papers had called and said we had N Ireland’s first Michelin Star. I was still angry at losing the money, so said that’s no good, we have to do pizza & pasta, and slammed down the phone. At that point it was only the 25th star in UK, and put me in top 20, big deal, but no good now. Accountant said "wait, let's use this. to turn things around, publicity, keep doing what you’re doing.

So we used the publicity and dropped prices, got the press, got the 1st star, served 3 course lunch for £10.50, 3 course dinner for £15.50 in 1991.... from then on, bums on seats, didn’t have an empty seat!”

Paul said "There was a lot of pressure to maintain the standard, changing menus, definite pressure, it would be worse to lose it, than not have it. But what happens as a human being with a family, changes your mind, I

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was afraid to follow my heart, but scared to lose the star.

Maybe I want to take a step back? In my case, I started to get offered a lot of TV. Jeanne was also feeling guilty not spending time with the family. It takes a lot of commitment with a restaurant, the hours, the planning, to weigh up the rewards v costs, such as family time, and you have to worry what Michelin would think if you started to tweak things, like the menus, to try to make it more sustainable long term, and you worry about the long term. Most chefs do."

Regarding his TV time: Paul was a popular chef on tv screens. but his 1st thought, was that this is weird, he was just a chef, Jeanne was a waitress and a pastry chef, so 2 hats to wear. "We got a lot of publicity with the 1st star, at least half a page... a lot of interest, and they thought it was tied in with 1st N Ireland Star, and ending of the troubles. The TV people thought this might be good publicity for them... and we were asked to make a programme. What would you like to make programme about? Cooking! And I got to invent the programme, and what the show was about, what we did on it. No-one ever told you how to do a tv show, just off you go.

When I had first got to NI, it was the 1st time I had worked as a chef in there. I looked around and was blown away by the produce, the local produce was amazing! In London, produce was fantastic, but a lot of stuff came in from France/Paris to Gavrouche.

But in Belfast, I found better foodstuff, beef, lamb, shellfish, and I thought I should keep it to myself. When we did the tv, we were the first to have championed the producers, we travelled to producers and then cooked with their produce. That’s become pretty mainstream now, and there are a lot of different cookery programmes, whenever you turn on TV. Do I think anyone can be a cook? Pretty much, though there is the occasional person who shouldn’t be allowed out, let alone in a kitchen.

His favourite programme, where he had the most fun was a Celebrity X Factor, he went on for about 10 days, part of a chef boy band: Aldo Zilli, Jean Christoph Novelle, and Ross Burton. "Most surreal time of my life! No cooking, just entertaining folks..... like 4 drunk blokes. The X Factor viewers kept us in, because they didn’t know what was going to happen next. It was hilarious, a laugh, it was crazy!!

Paul says he has had some wonderful opportunities filming. Some of the most enjoyable at the moment, I’m doing with my mate Nick Nairn travelling. We’ve done 2 series in NI and Scotland, meeting local people and cooking with the local produce. Then for series 3 to America, meeting descendants of 17th C immigrants to cook a variety of Ulster Scot inspired foods. This is to be shown next year, but only Scot and Ulster. Paul was actually born in Scotland.. Wearing a kilt is one of the best chat up lines. says Paul!

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What do you like to cook at home.... do you cook for your children? They are older, they still like their daddies cooking though. I guess I don’t have a favourite, I have no problem cooking at home after a long day at work cooking. A lot of chefs say fish or meat, but it’s hard, it’s what turns me on. It’s fruit & veg. It’s what makes a good dish, and comes with the seasons. We can all remember the days when you had to wait for the first strawberry of the year, it brought joy, it was fantastic, Tasting new potatoes in September, and I love cooking like that. You should be able to tell what time of year it is by the food on your plate. That appeals to my hippy dippy side.

The kids don’t help much, they like me cooking for them. When my daughter Emma, was going to Uni, I told her to come and watch me cook, but she never did. Then once she went away, every couple of days I’d get a call: Dad, how do I make your vegetable curry again? So in the middle of service, I had to text her. It’s a joy to see them cook now, Now it’s great to see their palate expand., they were a nightmare when they were younger. They were difficult. Just broccoli and rice!!

They would be mad to follow me into cooking, to follow my profession. I’ve been extremely lucky in the profession, blessed. My eldest Claire works in the restaurant business, but she doesn’t see that as her profession. But others have said that before. Emma my middle daughter is a doctor and Jamie my youngest, is taking a gap year, sponging off Dad. Getting involved with P&O Britannia and The Food Heroes is all to do with James Martin, he’s the leader of the pack! Such a passionate cook, so much loved and does a great job in the kitchen. So when he asked if I would be interested in cooking, yeah, want to go on Britannia, yeah, eat and drink on a cruise to Barbados, yeah!! Call that hard work, so I jumped at the chance. I know them all quite well, especially on the Ready Steady Cook days, so I know them, except Eric Lanlard, I don’t really know, I have chatted to him.

On Ready Steady Cook, we all kind of get on, but there is a kind of needle, it’s the ego thing... like that’s 3 in a row I’ve beaten you James. And he’d start complaining to the girl who made up the bags. We never knew what was in the bags till we opened it. We cheated, yes, but we didn’t know in advance..

Nick Nairn & I used to be on together, a lot! They made the programmes, 3 in a day, 3 chefs each go against each other once and then again the next day. It took 9 years for them to figure out that Nick & I were not as fresh the 2nd day as the 1st day..... we’d sit up talking....culinary techniques, life.

Britannia's Cookery School: Had a Masterclass and it was a bit bumpy and that was where I learnt about the small steps. I’m a bit goofy and clumsy anyway, so put me on a boat, and I try to pretend it’s not a boat.

Continued on page 13

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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Paul Rankin’s Trout and Salsa Grits Method: 1. For the salsa, place the oil in a

saucepan on a low to medium heat and add the diced celery, onion and garlic.

Cook until softened, but not coloured.

Add the diced pepper and chilli, mix together well. Remove from the heat and add the chilli sauce, lime juice and zest. Season to taste with salt.

2. For the grits, bring the stock to Serves 2, but can be increased.

Ingredients: 1 river trout, filleted and pin boned 2 rashers of streaky bacon 100g corn grits or polenta 200ml chicken stock 30g unsalted butter 50g Parmesan Salsa 2 peppers, skinned, deseeded and diced 1 celery stick, finely chopped ½ onion, finely chopped 1 garlic clove, finely chopped 1 tbsp olive oil ½ red chilli, diced ½ line, juice and zest 2tsp chilli sauce

the boil in a saucepan and add the corn grits or polenta. Turn up the heat and cook, stirring,until the corn or polenta is soft and the stock has been absorbed. Once the grits are ready,take off the heat and add the butter, grated parmesan and season to taste.

3. To crisp the bacon, add the oil to a frying pan on the heat, place the bacon into the oil and cook until golden and crispy, Remove from the pan and drain on kitchen paper.

4. In the same pan as the bacon, add the trout fillets and cook gently for 2-5 minutes, depending on size, on one side until nicely coloured. Carefully flip the fish over and cook a further 20 secs to finish.

5. To serve: spoon the grits on the

plate to create a circle. Next add a line of salsa off centre to the plate and then place the fish on the other side.

Garnish with the crispy bacon and deep fried parsley.

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It is the most sophisticated high tech cookery school I’ve ever seen. And the guys up there are great. Rob runs the school for James Martin. A lady took a class every day, think it was £45 each, a morning or afternoon class, for 10 days, that’s 10 classes. Rob worked at Leiths, and I’ve worked in places and Nick has classes so I know how much they cost, so a whole day with Nick’s cookery classes is £200 in Scotland, and at Leith’s with a junior chef it’s £190. So she got a whole day’s classes for £450.

And these would have been a different type of cookery.... if you’re not good, we chuck you overboard!

They are bring Home Economic classes back into schools, which is a good thing. A past generation haven’t done it, but I work with schools a lot... it’s good for boys to find out where the girls are!

Asked about the proudest moment of his career, he takes a long pause......I’ve no idea! Had so many good times. Of all my achievements and awards, I think it all pales into insignificance when I think of my 3 kids. My kids are the best! How blessed I am.

Paul has a passion for sourcing local food: "I always think the produce is the key thing, you don’t need to be a great cook if you have the best food, the skills to recognise the good quality, for example, an aged piece of meat doesn't look like fresh steak. Behind the great produce is the great natural agriculture, farming methods. Being in the USA for last two years, we were looking for the great American steak. We only had it once at an organic farm, where the cattle were fed on grass. Most farms there go for the quick method, and it is mainly grain fed, puts lot of weight on, gives good marbling, but not good for the cows, bland meat. In UK, so many different types of grasses, so the cattle here have a natural diet, greater range of diet, which means a better taste at the end, good flavour. Because we have so many small farms in the UK, we do not have the heavy agri-farming industry like States. We have the best beef in the world, the farming tradition is preserved in a good way, we should be very proud of it.”

something if it is really good quality, rather than lots of cheap foods. Life is a balance.

I was hoping to be anonymous on board. Not to get hammered at the bar and have everyone talking, did you see the state of him??

Asked would he do Strictly? In a heartbeat!! I love to dance. Absolutely. I was watching Ainsley and I got to see the show live. I did Ready Steady Cook with some of the pro dancers, Anton, Brendan and the Italian girl.....

Flavia, I couldn’t cook with her, she was so distracting.

It would be so much fun to be paid to dance, who wouldn’t? They know I want to do it. I’ve spoken to Anton and Brendan....

Has James Martin ever cooked you an omelette?

No. It’s funny. Even for fun, he will not do the 3 egg challenge. Think it’s in his contract. Never seen him do it for fun.

Gino d''Acampo was the hardest to beat when he first started on Ready Steady Cook show, but he was a fast learner! He went and sat on all the ladies’ laps! There I was cooking a fabulous 3 course meal, he sliced a few tomatoes and grated some cheese, and suddenly he wins! He’s a handful.

Would you not like to follow Gino into the jungle? I would like to do it. Get paid to lay about in the jungle, why not? Apart from the X Factor, I haven’t been asked to do any other reality programmes, I wouldn’t do Big Brother, but if the BBC is listening, I’m ready to do Strictly.

What is your favourite food... gosh, I suppose I should say Irish Soda Bread.... I love potatoes, don’t we all? I did some work with a potato company last year, but new season potatoes in Sept/Oct/Nov cooked, seasoned and lightly crushed a little butter.... for me that is a 1star Michelin dish. And to think we invented them in NI. Makes me proud.

Best potatoes for Christmas: Maris Piper is the best variety. Into cold water, salted, bring to the boil, seven minutes, don’t let them cook, drain them, don’t refresh them, leave them in the colander, wriggle them about, a good decent sized pan on stove, or in the oven with enough oil, don’t be stingy. Oven 200-210, turn them occasionally. Mix vegetable oil and light Olive Oil. Though clarified butter gives a good crust.

Why did Ready Steady Cook stop.... it ran its course, TV has changed over the years, BBC looked at it, the ratings dropped, and they wanted a cheaper format to sell around the world. Wanted new chefs, new host.

It is important to get the right balance between affordable food and good quality. I’d rather eat less of

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Paul has published several books, he is a celebrity chef and a tv star. He says "I am at a crossroads in my life at the moment, perhaps a move to Spain or France. I might need to do some research for a while, to decide what type of restaurant to open but I’d like a casual style restaurant."

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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Fusion crème brûlée Serves 6 Preparation time: 15 minutes, + cooling and setting Cooking time: 40–45 minutes

Ingredients: 1 piece fresh root ginger, about 100g (3 ½ oz) 2 stems lemongrass, outer leaves removed 350ml (12fl oz) double cream 125ml (4fl oz) full-fat milk It’s funny how the French and British 1 vanilla pod, split always fight about who created this – 6 large eggs ‘burned cream’ or ‘créme brûlée’?!

100g (3 ½ oz) caster sugar This is my own, Asian-inspired version.

Eric Lanlard For the topping 300g (11oz) demerara sugar 1. Preheat the oven to 140ºC (fan 120ºC)/275ºF/gas mark 1. Have ready a shallow dish – about 15cm (6in) in diameter and 3cm (1¼ in) deep – or 6 smaller individual ones.

2. Put the root ginger and lemongrass in a food processor and zap them to a paste.

3. Put the cream, milk, split vanilla pod and the lemongrass and ginger paste into a large saucepan. Heat slowly until hot, but not boiling.

4. Beat the eggs and sugar together in a bowl, using an electric hand whisk, until

white and fluffy. Slowly pour the hot cream over the egg mixture, mixing continuously.

5. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve into your shallow dish or dishes. Bake

in the preheated oven for approximately 40–45 minutes or until the mixture is wobbly.

6. Leave to cool down, then chill for a few hours until set, or overnight. When you are ready to serve, sprinkle the demerara sugar evenly over the top and caramelize with a blow-torch. Alternately, preheat the grill and caramelize the brûlées under the grill.

Serve straightaway.

14

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C.D Jennings & Sons Surbiton’s High Class Traditional Family Butchers Meat of the Highest Quality from the Finest Sources

Serving Surbiton Since 1962 .

Mothering Sunday & Easter Specials Call: 020 8399 4870 Scotch Highland Lamb Legs, Shoulders, Loins, Best Ends Scotch Beef Fore Ribs, Fillets, Sirloin, Topside, Silverside Free Range Chickens, Ducks, Turkeys, Geese New Parking Situation It is now easier to park by our shop.

Pay & Display bays operate between 10am-4pm with the first 30 minutes free.

Visit our shop at 146 Ewell Road, Surbiton, KT6 6HE (Opposite Sainsbury’s Local) or call us to place an order on 020 8399 4870

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

For more information view our website www.cdjenningsandsons.com

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

15

F

Now’s the time for our wonderful succulent lamb!

says Alan Jennings

or me, the months of March, April and May are some of the most exciting times of the year. It’s a great time for lamb because we can offer our customers the wonderful pure flavours of a succession of lamb.

In recent months most of our lambs have come from our chosen suppliers in the Scottish Highlands, where they have been carefully over-wintered to bring them to us in prime condition. Superb lambs they are, coming to us, as always, only from our selected farms.

These are usually followed by top-quality lambs from the Colne Valley in Essex, sent to us from a farm that we chose decades ago. We know these suppliers very well, because they also rear our gorgeous ‘Gloucester Old Spot’ pigs!

Meanwhile, on selected farms in Kent, the next generation of lambs will soon be coming up to their best as Marsh Lamb.

In the early months of the year they can benefit from the comparative mildness of the Southeast, and the extra moisture of the salt-marshes brings early growth in the pastures, so that the new lambs have access to the nourishing first growth of the new season’s grass.

All these lambs are quality through and through, and we all know that taste depends on the quality of the meat.

Quality and Taste go together, you might say. Whether you need a leg of lamb to roast for your family gathering, or a half leg for a couple on their own, the taste will

16

be superb. Or there will be other prime cuts like saddle of lamb, rack of lamb, and plenty of juicy chops and cutlets. And for those who take pride in slow cooking, there will be shoulders and plenty of stewing cuts, all brilliant in their different ways. Just let us know what you would like.

Many of our customers ask about the flavours of different cuts, especially where lamb is concerned. A shoulder should be roasted very slowly to bring out all the flavours. These are perhaps more subtle than those of a leg, for instance, which has its own distinctive virtues to offer. And a saddle of lamb is different again. And there are many cuts of lamb that are ideal for slow braising.

What is true of lamb can also apply to beef and pork, where there are cuts that are ideal for grilling or roasting, and others that will repay slow cooking to bring out their characteristic flavours. When you next call in, let’s chat about this. Why not?

I look forward to seeing you!

Best wishes Alan C D Jennings & Sons Traditional Quality Butchers since 1962 146 Ewell Road Surbiton KT6 6HE 020 8399 4870

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No Smoking Day is 9th March

Nicotine without the Nasties

By Alison Runham www.alison.runham.co.uk Smoking causes one in every five deaths in over 35s in England, killing half of all longterm smokers prematurely.

In light of this, and research confirming the dangers of second-hand and third-hand smoke, it’s not surprising many smokers are now seeking tobacco alternatives.

Nicotine isn’t responsible for the damage cigarettes cause, but it’s addictive, and withdrawal makes addicts feel restless, anxious and depressed (hence the illusion that cigarettes ‘calm their nerves’). Smokers want alternatives that deliver nicotine without cigarettes’ arsenic, cyanide, tar and other toxic nasties that harm themselves and others.

E-Cigarettes (and Mods, Vape Sticks, Personal Vaporisers) E-cigarettes are somewhat controversial due to the rapid growth and lack of regulation in the industry. Safety concerns include: • Safety of supposedly ‘safe’ ingredients, such as flavourings – although some are certified safe to eat, experts say this doesn’t necessarily mean they’re safe to inhale • The inclusion of unspecified or dangerous chemicals such as aldehydes • Inconsistent or unspecified nicotine quantities • Throat irritation due to allergy to ingredients, such as nut flavourings or propylene glycol The NHS QuitForLife campaign warns: “E-cigarettes are

significantly less harmful than tobacco cigarettes but are not harmless. Their long term health impact is unknown.”

While some e-cigarettes look similar to normal cigarettes, others look very different.

However, they’re all batteryoperated and work by heating the cartridge or refillable ‘tank’ of nicotine liquid to produce vapour when the user inhales and airflow is detected.

E-cigarettes are not currently licensed for prescription, but after May 2016, any ecigarettes containing over 20mg/ml of nicotine will require authorisation by the Medicine and Healthcare Products Agency (MHRA).

Nicotine Replacement Therapy Products provide nicotine in a variety of ways and strengths, reducing cravings and alleviating withdrawal symptoms.

Patches Patches are popular, as they are discreet, release a steady dose of nicotine into the bloodstream, and are available in a variety of doses and release times, allowing you to gradually reduce your dosage.

Chewing Gum Nicotine gum gives a burst of nicotine, just as a cigarette does, and can be used whenever you have the urge for a cigarette. 2mg and 4mg gums are available in a variety of flavours including mint, fruit and liquorice. The gum is chewed slowly until a tingling or nicotine

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

taste is detected; then you can cease chewing until the tingling has subsided. Exceeding maximum quantities and chewing gum without breaks can cause side effects such as heartburn or nausea.

Lozenges and Soluble Sublingual Tablets# 1mg, 2mg and 4mg nicotine lozenges and 2mg sublingual tablets dissolve slowly in the mouth, releasing nicotine.

Mouth Sprays 1mg mouth sprays are used to supply a burst of nicotine to reduce cravings.

Inhalators 15mg inhalators release nicotine from a cartridge when you breathe in, and can be useful if you initially find the habit of holding and inhaling from a cigarette hard to break.

One cartridge lasts around 40 minutes.

Nasal Sprays The 10mg nasal sprays may be best suited to heavy smokers, as they rapidly deliver a strong dose of nicotine.

Remember that these products aren’t for indefinite use, but are intended to help you reduce and ultimately quit smoking.

Nicotine is an addictive drug with a range of mental and physical side effects. The NHS QuitforLife campaign warns that nicotine products should be kept away from children and animals, as pure nicotine is a poison that’s lethal in high doses and toxic to the skin at high concentrations.

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

17

Vertical Cover With Climbers

by Pippa Greenwood Take a look at the boundaries of your garden; are they rather uninteresting, drab or perhaps even downright boring? It is time to start thinking about doing some vertical gardening - don’t just concentrate on beds, borders and beautiful containers, but think about all those upright surfaces just itching to be clothed in glorious climbers or wall shrubs. If you have several vertical surfaces then so much the better.

A visit to your local garden centre will reveal a plentiful supply of suitable plants. Start by taking a look at the surface you have to offer, get a rough idea of the size of the area to be covered, the direction it faces and the amount of sun or shade the plants growing on the wall or fence are likely to receive. Check your soil type too – discover whether it is sandy and free-draining, sticky and full of clay or somewhere in between - as the plant you choose must be suited to the site.

Some climbers are quite quick growing and will look good later this year, and then go from strength to strength as the years pass. Many provide strong colour and others will

18

be a useful backdrop for the garden as a whole. Don’t forget that most buildings can have climbers grown against them, so if you have an unsightly shed, garage or even a fairly uninteresting looking back to your house, then consider erecting some sort of support system on which you can grow your climbers.

If you have a long stretch of wall you can break up its monotony by planting up with several different plants.

If you grow a wide range of plants and only allow them to reach the height of the first floor, it will make a tall, narrow building seem somewhat broader. A climbing hydrangea, Hydrangea petiolaris, or selfclinging plants such as ivies are ideal for this situation, but make sure the mortar on your wall is in good shape before planting.

Climbers are best planted in open ground, as they tend to have sizeable root systems.

However, you can grow them in containers if you get really stuck, but make sure that you re-pot regularly and that you have enough space to ultimately use a really good sized container such as a half barrel. You will need to use a

loam-based potting compost and add extra grit to ensure that the compost continues to drain freely. It is also essential to place a really deep layer of crocks at the base of the container so that the drainage holes are loosely covered and will not become clogged by the compost. I always add some controlled release fertilizer granules to the compost, as this will help to ensure that plants get adequately fed at least for the first few months.

If you plant the container up using a triangular or V-shaped trellis panel inserted at the back surface, this will give the plant an initial support and it can then climb up this before moving on to your wall or fence. You will, of course, need to tie the top section of the trellis into the wall or fence, so that it does not rock about.

Once you have decided where to plant the climber, dig a really good sized planting hole, making sure that it is at least 18 inches (45 cm) away from the wall or fence. This may sound like a long way, but it ensures that the plant receives adequate moisture and does not suffer any adverse effects from the proximity of the nearby wall. Incorporate

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plenty of planting compost, well rotted manure or garden compost, and then once you have soaked the root ball of the plant you can place it in the hole. Ideally you should position it at a 45 degree angle, so that it is already leaning towards the wall. Once you have checked that the levels are right you can spread the root system out and plant in the normal way. If your climber is already attached to some sort of support system, such as bamboo canes, it helps if you gently untie the stems from any central stake and then choose the best looking shoots and train these towards your new support system. You can use the existing bamboo canes to help it on its way. It is essential to keep climbers really well watered, particularly if they are on or near a sunny

wall.

Any good garden centre will have a range of plants available, but here are some suggestions for some of those tricky sites: Vigorous climbers for a quick effect: Actinidia chinensis Akebia quinata Clematis montana Clematis montana ‘Rubens’ Vitis coignetiae Climbers for clay soils: Campsis Celastrus scandens Clematis Ivies Golden hop Climbing hydrangea Honeysuckles (most) Vitis coignetiae

Climbers for an alkaline or chalky soil: Actinidia kolomikta Akebia quinata Clematis Ivies Climbing hydrangea Jasminum officinale Honeysuckles Trachelospermum jasminoides Wisteria Visit Pippa’s website www. pippagreenwood.com for ‘Grow Your Own with Pippa Greenwood’ - fantastic UK grown vegetable plants of your choice plus weekly advice and tips emails from Pippa, Nemaslug, biological controls, pop-up crop covers, signed books and lots more besides.

LOCAL CARPENTER GARDENER CITY & GUILDS QUALIFIED

07714 592 592 650 650 020 8390 7151 07714 07714 592 650 mem.allyourgardenneeds@gmail.com

maintenance Trimming, tidying & mowing tidying & mowing maintenance Fencing, decking, gates & sheds timberwork Trimming, decking, gates & sheds timberwork Fencing, paving Patios & paths paving Patios & paths Scaled drawings & planting plans design Scaled drawings & planting plans design For a friendly, reliable service at a competitive rate

Doors/Skirting Maintenance Repair Work Hedge Trimming Shelving/Carpentry Gates Joinery Fencing Stud Walling Clearance Wardrobes Decking

Friendly, reliable and tidy service

For a friendly, reliable service at a competitive rate

Landscape construction Landscape construction & & Fencing Fencing

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

Will: 020 8399 7872 Mobile: 07961 450 618 email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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• Tree surveys & repo • Tree surveys & reports to the highest levels of service in every instance.

ns

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

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

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

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

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

ree!

www.rjtrees.c

www.rjtrees.co.uk

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

3 07980 903 881 pects of our work

Springtime

Look out for the red tree!

r.J.tree Services, Berrylands, Surbiton 020 8399 0103 07980 903 8 Bees Visit our website Birds for information and videos on all aspects of our wor

QP Proof June 10.indd 1

www.rjtrees.co.uk

Buds Cyclamens Daffodils Dandelions Easter Equinox Frogs Grass Green Growth Irises Lilies March Nesting Planting

Rain Renewal Season Sunshine

Tulips Warmth Wet

Find the names associated with spring in the grid and the remaining letters will spell out a related phrase

20

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14/05/2010 14:19:06

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

21

Home & Interiors Make The Most Of A Small Kitchen

By Katherine Sorrell

EATING AND ENTERTAINING Even in a tiny kitchen, it’s always a good idea to try fit in somewhere to eat and drink.

Fold-down tables might work, or perhaps there is room for a small dining table – if it extends for extra guests, so much the better.

Or you could add a breakfast bar by forming an ‘L’ shape at the end of a run of worktop, adding a couple of high stools that can tuck underneath when not in use.

Bingo! An eat-in kitchen.

They may be small but they can be perfectly formed: the tiniest of kitchen spaces is often extremely efficient – you can wash, slice and cook almost without moving at all. And although the sky’s the limit when it comes to spending on kitchens – even diminuitive ones – if you’re on a shoestring you can create a practical and attractive galley kitchen for very little money, writes Katherine Sorrell.

PLANNING THE ROOM In a small kitchen every centimetre counts, and the first principle of design is the ‘work triangle’ – the movement between the three main areas of activity: cooker, sink and fridge. Each zone should be self-contained, with its own storage and worktop space, but it should also be easy to move between each one. The best way to ensure this is to draw a floor plan with lines connecting each point on the triangle, and avoid placing any obstructions

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(such as tall cupboards) between them. The theory goes that the most efficient length for each side of the triangle is a doublearm span or about two metres.

In practice, however, it is rarely possible to create an absolutely equal triangle, and what matters more is that the three work centres aren’t uncomfortably close or too far apart. In a double galley, keep the sink and cooker on the same side, with the fridge pretty much opposite. In a single galley, you can’t create a triangle at all, but its linear shape means that it’s very easy to use anyway, as long as you don’t make the line too long. Aim to have tall cupboards at one end, then the hob nearby, and the maximum amount of worktop space between the hob and the sink, with the dishwasher next to the sink at the other end. Add a rubbish bin under the sink and, if you have room, add a pull-out larder to store food.

CHOOSING UNITS & WORKTOPS Mixing textures and colours in the kitchen is a growing trend, and top fashion picks at present include metallics, marble and rough, tough industrial accents.

Deep worktops and open shelving will update a kitchen of any size, but what matters most in any kitchen is quality. You can find more or less any look at more or less any price - but you do get what you pay for. Check the quality of the carcass: cheaper ones are made from chipboard, sometimes with just hardboard backs, which may be fine if all you want is a budget option. But for a well-used kitchen that you want to last a number of years, opt for plywood or MDF veneer, the thicker the better. Laminate worktops are the budget choice – choose high-pressure rather than low-pressure ones, as they’re more durable. Wooden worktops can also be inexpensive, but avoid ones that are too cheap or too thin, especially if you’re installing them next to a sink, as they’ll just warp and buckle.

Splashbacks are often made

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from the same material as the worktop, though if cost is an issue you could opt for a cheaper alternative, such as ceramic tiles, tongue and groove painted with tough gloss, or a fashionable sheet of clear or coloured acrylic.

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR SPACE WITH THESE IDEAS • Fit wall cupboards that go right up to the ceiling, storing littleused items right at the top • Sliding doors are ideal as they don’t intrude into the room • ‘Magic’ corner cupboards (with special mechanisms that let you get to the stuff at the back) allow you to fit more in • Wall-hung racking systems let you see what you’ve got while still storing it in an organised fashion • Pull-out shelving and slim drawers (eg in the plinth) all add extra storage space • Internal fittings help organise

cupboards • When it comes to appliances, choose multi-functional, compact, slimline, built-in and stacking versions • Reflective and/or transparent surfaces and pale colours make the room seem bigger • Base cabinets on legs or recessed plinths allow you to see more floor • Avoid visual confusion by sticking to ultra-plain cabinet fronts with either no handles or very discreet ones • Larger-than-average floor tiles make the floor seem larger

Ikea, tel 020 3645 0000; www.ikea. co.uk.

Above: Efficient internal storage can make all the difference in a small kitchen. Storage options, Rational, tel 01543 459459; www.rational.de/en.

Images - Left: Make use of wall space, drawers, slim appliances and free-standing storage such as trolleys.

Metod Grevsta kitchen, £47 for a 40x60cm base cabinet with shelves,

Ovenclean will transform your oven and put the sparkle back into your kitchen! ✓ Friendly, professional and reliable ✓ Completely safe, eco-friendly cleaning system ✓ No fumes, no mess, no bother ✓ Removes grease, fat and burnt on carbon deposits from: ● Ovens

● Filters

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Call Sheree today to book your Ovenclean appointment on

m: 07905 533 738 Office: 020 3302 1537 e: info@sosheatingandplumbing.com

www.sosheatingandplumbing.com

01932 706223 www.ovenclean.com To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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...Need Help Getting A Good Roof?

•Fascia and Soffit Boards •Guttering Cleared •Tiles Replaced •Roof Repairs •New Roofs

•All Re-pointing Work •Tiling and Slating •Gutters Fitted •Chimneys •Flat Roofs

www.goodroofs.co.uk

0208 241 80 90 Call us now: 07510 358 101

0208 241 80 90 07510 358 101 38 Rookwood Road, New Malden, Kt3 4ly 24

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M.DUFFELL

SOFT DRINKS AVAILABLE

Interior / Exterior Decorating Fully Insured References For Free Quotations & Advice

Family business established 25 years

£11.95

Call:

020 8390 0383 07989 035 725

Are you looking for local advertising?

Look no further!

Contact Karen at 020 8274 0096 or email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

8 10

25

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7 15

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49

07939 333 324 020 8399 9735

39

44 18

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40

• Domestic and Commercial • Bathroom Refurbishment • Tiling and Plastering • Free Estimate Provided • Fully Insured • 20 Years Experience

4

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To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

©puzzlepress.co.uk

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O E R T I R

Specialising in quality interior & exterior decorations

36 1

www.prithicuisine.co.uk

JAMES ANTHONY DECORATORS

Starting at 1 and finishing at 49, track your way from one square to another, either horizontally, vertically or diagonally, placing consecutive numbers into the empty squares as you go. Some numbers are already given.

32

285 Ewell Road, Surbiton

3 letters: 8 4 letters: 7 5 letters: 0 6 letters: 1

Hidato

31

020 8399 0030/3904

You have two minutes to find all the words of three or more letters that can be made from the letters above. Plurals are allowed, proper nouns are not. The 6 letter word will always be just a normal everyday word.

A Berrylands Companion on:

30

*Please note King Prawn & Fish Dishes are £2 extra

jamesanthony36@gmail.com

info@jamesanthonydecorators.co.uk

www.jamesanthonydecorators.co.uk EP Feb 15 Proof 1 .indd 1

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

25

3 Lette ERR IRE ORE ROE ROT TIE TOE

CODEWORD Each letter in this puzzle is represented by a number between 1 and 26. The codes for three letters are shown. As you find the letters enter them in the box below.

18

20

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•Extensions BERRYLANDS BERRYLANDS •Conversions Property Maintenance Ltd •All types of Paving

Property Maintenance Ltd

iPainting and Decorating and Tiling * Extensions *iPlastering Conversions * All types of Paving iHousehold Maintenance and Repairs iBathrooms Fitted and Refurbished Local builders withandover 30 years experience. iCarpentry Plumbing iFlat Packs and Small Jobs

iPainting and Decorating and Tiling Local builders with over 30 years experience. *iPlastering Conversions * All types of Paving Many local customers with excellent references, iHousehold Maintenance and Repairs Marcus &by Sarah Baines viewings appointment Many local customers with excellent020 references, 8390 7549 iBathrooms Fitted and Refurbished viewings by appointment 603a885 Check out 07702 our Check Trade ratings. ders with over 30 years experience. iCarpentry and Plumbing Check out our Check a Trade ratings. iFlat Packs and Small Jobs 71 Chiltern Drive ,Surbiton, Surrey, KT5 8LR berrylands-property@blueyonder.co.uk

customers with excellent references,

WWW.CHECKATRADE.COM/BERRYLANDSPROPERTYMAINTENANCE

Tel: 020 8399 6276 No KT5 obligation8LR quotations. References available.

71 Chiltern Drive ,Surbiton, Surrey, All work guaranteed and fully insured.

Em: bbuildco.@yahoo.co.uk

Mob: 07941 374 32

Tel: 020 8399 6276 Mob: 07941 374 324 Marcus &by Sarah Baines viewings appointment Check out our new website: www.berrylandsbuilders.co.uk 020 8390 7549 Please mention the magazine when contacting Advertisers 603 k out2607702 our Check a885 Trade ratings. berrylands-property@blueyonder.co.uk

ELECTRICIAN RELIABLE & PROMPT SERVICE FREE VERBAL ESTIMATE

Painting and Decorating Roofing and Guttering Plastering and Tiling Household Maintenance Loft conversions and extensions

50 YEARS EXPERIENCE CERTIFIED NO JOB TOO SMALL

Marcus & Sarah Baines 020 8390 7549 07702 603 885

24 HOUR ANSWER PLEASE RING:

berrylands-property@blueyonder.co.uk

020 8974 2711 MOB: 07929 786 895

WWW .CHECKATRADE.COM/BERRYLANDSPROPERTYMAINTENANCE

No obligation quotations. References available.

All work guaranteed and fully insured.

WORDWHEEL

ALL OF YOUR PLUMBING NEEDS. GAS APPLIANCE SERVICING AND REPAIRS, LANDLORD AND SAFETY CERTIFICATES NO JOB TOO SMALL FOR FREE ESTIMATES CALL CHRIS MOULD

Using only the letters in the Wordwheel, you have ten minutes to find as many words as possible, none of which may be plurals, foreign words or proper nouns. Each word must be of three letters or more, all must contain the central letter and letters can only be used once in every word. There is at least one word that uses all of the letters in the wheel.

TARGET Excellent: 50 or more words Good: 43 words Fair: 38 words

N

Phone 07922 246673

E Mail chris@cjmplumbingandheating.co.uk

I CJM Plumbing and Heating To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

A

E

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email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

27

Beer of the Month March is spring. It may not always feel like it, but the hares are boxing in the fields and daffodils and magnolias and crocuses and whatnot are blooming their heads off and the hedges are heavy with pussy willow, so it’s definitely spring. And to celebrate it, here are two classic pale ales for you.

Timothy Taylor Landlord at 4.1% alcohol is from a long-established family-owned brewery in Keighley, West Yorkshire. Founded in 1858, Taylor’s rubbed along for more than a century, like dozens of similar neighbourhood breweries up and down the country, on the back of a tiny tied estate and what free trade it could get within spitting distance of its own front door.

In the 1950s, local breweries like Taylor’s started selling up as their owners were made offers they couldn’t refuse by bigger competitors. Taylor’s, though, opted for independence, and distanced itself from its accountant-led rivals by refusing to cut corners and building a reputation for quality. Landlord, launched in 1952 as a best bitter following the end of wartime malt rationing, quickly established a name for itself and in more recent decades has won CAMRA’s Champion Beer of Britain competition four times. It’s a complex yet beautifully balanced ale, with aromas of both toffee and fruit, a light and spritzy body, a hoppy and quenching palate, a long, dry, hoppy finish.

Open a bottle on the first really nice day of spring!

Ridley’s of Chelmsford was superficially similar to Taylor’s but with a larger and more scattered pub estate. It, too, tried to survive; but in 2005, weighed down with debt, the family sold up. Greene King, which bought the firm, closed the brewery but kept on brewing what had become its flagship beer: Old Bob strong pale at 5.1% alcohol, an example of what used to be called a Burton ale. It’s darker than landlord – almost bronze – and much sweeter, with biscuit malt on the nose, a rich, warm, slightly caramel, but clean palate, and a lingering hop bitterness developing in the finish. Similar in some respects to Landlord – but for a colder day!

By Ted Bruning

LEWIS DICK

solicitors

Need a DIVORCE, SEPARATION OR HELP WITH CONTACT speak to Carol Stevens-Stratten Need to MOVE HOUSE OR GET HELP WITH YOUR BUSINESS speak to Jonathan Owens Need to MAKE A WILL OR POWER OF ATTORNEY OR ADMINISTER AN ESTATE speak to James Winfield

WE ARE YOUR LOCAL LAW FIRM, AND PROVIDE A HIGH QUALITY SERVICE For more information or a no obligation quote

Call: 020 8393 0055

Email: ewell@lewis-dick.com or visit our Website: www.lewis-dick.com Lewis & Dick, 443 Kingston Road, Ewell, Surrey, KT19 0DG

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Leverett Electrical Ltd

Est 35 YEARS

ROBINSON & SON

PROFESSIONAL PAINTERS & DECORATORS

Qualified electrician

Part P registered.

All work certified.

No job too small.

All work considered Quality at the heart of our work

Wallpapering

INTERIOR & EXTERIOR PRIVATE & RESIDENTIAL High Quality WORK AT LOCAL RATES

• • • • •

Experienced professional Tradesman

CALL FOR FREE ESTIMATE

020 8399 9803

Stuart Leverett Office: 020 8390 0617 Mobile: 07710 123 628 Email:contact@leverettelectrical.co.uk

RECOMMENDATIONS AVAILABLE

A FAMILY RUN BUSINESS

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

2

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Leverett Electrical Ltd 4

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Part P registered.

10 11 All work certified.

13 14 No job too small.

15 16 All work considered.

17 18 Quality at the heart of our work 19 &maintenance • Installation • Rewires 21 • Security lighting • Fire alarms • Central heating wiring 23

Stuart Leverett

©puzzlepress.co.uk

Across 1. Sacked and set alight (5) 4. Lowest in importance when slate is mined (5) 6. Place to sleep out of boredom (7) 9. The Latin language (6) 10. Agrees about fatty matter (6) 12. Footwear to see off, we hear (4) 15. Large quantity heard at church (4) 17. Apostle one depicted (6) 19. Sheltered and dashed about (6) 20. Point me towards spice (7) 22. Requested a desk change (5) 23. Upright tree felled round about the first century (5) Down 1. Superman stories? (6) 2. Ruin one type of celebration (7) 3. Budge up to remove faults (5) 4. Boy seen in a glade (3) 5. Gains points and notches (6) 7. Keen man, it’s said (7) 8. Wander about in Italy, we hear (4) 11. Fish in rased surroundings? (7) 13. Customs put on by sisters (6)

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Mad March Hair

The high-tech gadgets for every kind of hair

Whether you’re trying a bold new look or just trying to tame tangles, gadgets can help - and some of them promise to do everything from straightening to styling. Take the Oprahrecommended InStyler Wet 2 Dry, for example: it looks like a typical curler but its rotating barrel means it can straighten, curl and add volume and shine while it dries your hair.

At £79.99 it’s quite pricey for a styler and some users found it a bit awkward to use, but if you get the hang of it it promises to style and dry five times faster than other devices.

If you’re a fan of hair straighteners you’ll know that some models are smoother and less snaggy than others.

The £44.95 Glamoriser reckons it has the answer: its ceramic floating plates are designed to glide over your hair, and something called Black Diamond Oil in the plates apparently helps keep every strand nice and shiny. We’re not entirely sold on those claims, but as a straightener the Glamoriser works really well and is a great buy.

Fancy spending a bit more?

The £165 T3 SinglePass X uses a microchip to constantly measure and adjust the temperature of the plates so

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that you can smooth and style without frazzling your hair. It’s particularly good for very long or coarse hair and it styles very quickly, although the price tag is likely to put plenty of people off.

Another Oprah recommendation is the Bed Head Deep Waver, which is currently the number 1 bestselling hair waver on Amazon US. Over here it’s called the Toni & Guy Deep Waver, and the £25 styler offers 25 heat options for the perfect wave.

Sometimes hair needs to be removed rather than restyled, and technology has a place there too: IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) hair removals promise to remove unwanted hair without the discomfort or outright pain of traditional hair removal.

It isn’t very effective on light hair colours but it does a good job on dark hair, and while £225 for a Philips Lumea Precision Plus sounds pricey, it’s a lot cheaper than getting a course of IPL treatment at a beauty salon. Just one word of warning: don’t use it if you’ve been tanning. Like any kind of light therapy, IPL can have side-effects on skin that’s been exposed to the sun or to selftanning products.

So far we’ve concentrated on

products for women, but there are gadgets for the boys too.

The rise of the hipster hasn’t escaped the notice of grooming device manufacturers, and dull old clippers have been eclipsed by all kinds of male grooming products. There’s even a hairdryer designed specifically for blokes: the BaByliss Pro Italia Brava (£120), which has been developed in association with Ferrari so it goes round your head faster. Joking aside it does differ from normal unisex dryers as it can be set to run much hotter than traditional dryers.

Men will also find all kinds of gadgets for manscaping their body hair. One of the best is Braun’s Cruzer 6 Body (£33), a showerproof trimmer with attachments ranging from 0.6mm to 8mm for every conceivable location and a Gilette blade for when you want to shave everything off. If you’d rather just take care of your beard and bonce, the Cruzer Beard&Head is currently £25 online and comes with two sets of blade guards: 1-11mm and 10-20mm.

Images L to R: Glamoriser hair straightener; Toni & Guy Deep Barrel Waver; Philips Lumea IPL hair remover; Braun Cruzer body trimmer.

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K B Design

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I can pick up your bike from your home or place of work then return to you at your convenience.

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Health

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

Should You Be Wary Of Wheat?

If you suffer from bloating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, stomach cramps or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), maybe you should be. However, ALWAYS see your GP (rather than self-diagnosing) if these symptoms are severe and persistent, especially if you have blood in your stools, vomiting, excessive bloating or very painful stomach cramps - it may indicate more serious medical conditions.

Wheat allergy, wheat sensitivity/ intolerance and Coeliac disease are often confused, so let’s get them straight.

WheAt ALLerGY If you are truly wheat allergic, eating wheat will rapidly provoke allergy symptoms such as itching, rashes, sneezing and wheezing. You’ll need to avoid wheat in any form and see your GP. CoeLiAC DiSeASe Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition that affects around 1% of people in the UK and often goes undiagnosed. In Coeliac sufferers, the intestinal lining becomes damaged because it can’t absorb gluten, a protein found in foods including wheat, barley and rye. Tiredness, hair loss, mouth ulcers,

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anaemia and unexpected weight loss, alongside gastrointestinal symptoms, can indicate Coeliac disease. Diagnosis is by a blood test and biopsy. Both tests are only accurate if you’re still eating gluten, so you’ll need to continue eating gluten until the tests are complete. If Coeliac disease is diagnosed, you must avoid gluten permanently.

WheAt intoLerAnCe/ SenSitivitY Wheat intolerance or sensitivity is much more common than wheat allergy. Symptoms can develop some hours after eating wheat, which can make the condition hard to pinpoint, and it’s not something your GP can test for.

Try eliminating wheat for four weeks to see if your symptoms improve (ensuring you replace it with healthy alternatives like rice, corn, buckwheat pasta and quinoa). Remember that wheat is in most breads, cakes, pastas, pastries, cereals, couscous, biscuits, beer, soy sauce and hydrolysed vegetable protein (HVP), and is a hidden ingredient in many other products. Keep a food diary in case another food type, such as dairy, is the culprit – but don’t eliminate whole food groups long-term without consulting your GP. Reintroduce wheat slowly (preferably starting with 100% wheat products). If your symptoms reappear, it’s a good indication that you have wheat sensitivity; trial and error will tell you whether you’re sensitive to all wheat products or just some.

This can depend on the process

the wheat has undergone; some people can tolerate toast and pasta better than bread, because the heating process makes the wheat more digestible. Supermarket bread may be less digestible than traditional bakery bread, as supermarkets use an accelerated bread-making process. irritAbLe boWeL SYnDrome (ibS) If your symptoms don’t seem specifically tied to wheat, you may have IBS. While the causes are not entirely clear, stress, illness, high-fat or highfibre foods seem to precipitate attacks, making bowel function erratic and causing gastrointestinal symptoms.

Probiotic supplements or foods can help, as can medication prescribed by your GP. tackling Wheat Sensitivity and ibS: the FoDmAP diet Designed originally for people with (IBS), the wheat-free low-FODMAP diet eliminates Fermentable oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, monosaccharides And Polyols - types of carbohydrates that aren’t easily digested and may cause bacterial growth, leading to diarrhoea and bloating.

The FODMAP diet should be followed under a dietician’s guidance to ensure you stay healthy and follow it correctly, as it’s quite complex. Your GP can give you a referral. information and Support: Coeliac UK: Helpline 0333 332 2033 www.coeliac.org.uk The IBS Network: 0114 272 32 53 www.theibsnetwork.org Allergy UK (also has information on intolerances): 01322 619898 www.allergyuk.org

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The best care and support at home – for over 20 years!

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Conquer fears, habits, phobias, stress, anxiety, exam nerves, insomnis, confidence and much more.

Learn self hypnosis the easy way to relieve stress, pain and improve motivation to achieve whatever you want. _____________________________________________

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Books for Mother’s Day It’s not always easy to get five minutes to yourself when you’re a mum, particularly if you have young children demanding your attention. So if you’re looking for a gift this Mother’s Day, why not combine a book with the promise of free time? Take the kids to the park for a couple of hours, plough your way through the ironing pile, or make her dinner, so that mum can collapse on the sofa to read in peace.

Neal’s Yard Beauty Book – Susan Curtis, Fran Johnson and Pat Thomas A fantastic resource for anyone who’s interested in skincare and make-up, the Beauty Book provides a wealth of advice on everything from treating dry skin to make-up application.

The benefits of a huge range of ingredients are listed, from almond oil to black pepper, and there are step-by-step recipes for making a wide range of beauty products, including bath soaks, massage oils, cleansers and moisturisers.

The Happiness Project OneSentence Journal for Mothers – Gretchen Rubin While it can seem that the days of sleep deprivation and explosive nappies will never end, children grow up pretty quickly. This lovely journal asks mums to just write one or two sentences each day, about their children, work, or life in general. It’s set out for one date per page, but with room for five years’ of memories, so the diarist can then look back to see what thought was top of their mind that day a few years ago.

Each page also has a reflective quote from Rubin, which are well worth a read in themselves.

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Dear Mum, From You To Me We’ll admit, this is as much of a gift to you as it is to her. Unlike a normal journal, Dear Mum, From You To Me uses prompts to help your mum record her memories. The idea is that she’ll pass the book back to you when she’s finished writing in it, so that you can get to know her better and have a record of her life to treasure. Some of the prompts are great conversation starters; not only will you learn more about your mum, but you’ll have an awful lot to talk about.

The Secret Life of a Slummy Mummy – Fiona Neill As a Newsnight Producer, Lucy Sweeney had it all under control, but her life as a stay-at-home mum is anything but orderly.

From trying to dodge the yummy mummies and alpha mums at the school gates, to fantasising about Sexy Domesticated Dad, Lucy bounces from one hilarious mishap to the next. A great gift for mums of young children who sometimes wonder if everyone else’s life is quite as chaotic as their own.

According to Yes – Dawn French Rosie Kitto is one of those characters it’s pretty much impossible not to like. Ever optimistic, slightly eccentric and warm-hearted to boot, primary teacher Rosie sets off from England to work as a nanny for the rigidly upper-class WilderBinghams in Manhattan. While there, she helps them to learn to stop living by their social conventions, and start saying yes to new possibilities. At times funny, at times poignant, and with a fair few sex scenes to liven things up, According to Yes is an easy, light-hearted read that just may leave you questioning some of your own conventions.

Eating Well Made Easy – Lorraine Pascale If mum’s harking after a new cookery book this Mother’s Day, Lorraine Pascal’s latest endeavour should be top of your shopping list. While it focuses on healthy eating, these recipes are far from bland. They’re also (as the name implies) straightforward to follow and use ingredients you can pick up from your local shop. Most can be prepared pretty quickly, although there are some more time-consuming recipes for when the mood suits. Recipes include Sichuan Bang Bang Chicken, Mushroom and Chestnut Lancashire Hotpot, and No-Cook Chocolate Espresso Cheesecake Squares.

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Out at work during the day?

Here’s how to keep your dog entertained Now that most of us are back at work after the Christmas break, your dog may be feeling a little bored or lonely. When boredom sets in the result is often shredded carpets and wobbly table legs, but there are plenty of things you can do to distract them when you’re not there.

• Fill a sturdy treat ball with peanut

PETS

butter, canned dog food, and small biscuits. It’s a good idea to use a few different types of food within the ball so that their interest doesn’t wane.

• Set up a ‘treasure hunt’ by hiding some plain dog biscuits or dental chews around the house, or wherever they’re allowed to roam if you limit access to some rooms.

• Buy an interactive dog toy that stimulates their brain and sparks interest on and off throughout the day.

They’ll have to figure out how to get the small treat from

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

underneath each puzzle, and most games like this incorporate various different types of puzzle to really get them thinking.

• Rotate your dog’s toys each day so they don’t get bored having constant access to them all. You could even use small toys as a treasure hunt idea instead of, or as well as, hiding food.

Keeping your dog entertained while you’re out just takes a little thought and preparation.

It’ll be worth it though to come home to a house that’s still in one piece.

By Ann Haldon

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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Monkey Music Kingston, Surbiton and Thames Ditton E: kingston.surbiton@monkeymusic.co.uk T: 0208 224 3971

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email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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Finance

Dividend Taxation And Other Changes To Tax Laws in 2016/17 By Ann Haldon > 32.5% (for the higher rate band) > 38.1% (in the additional rate band) People with a low dividend income will see a reduction in their tax bill, but the new measures are likely to hit family-run small businesses the hardest.

A change to the dividend taxation laws is to be implemented from April 2016.

Pension and ISA dividends will not be affected by the new regime and will remain free of tax, but the new dividend rules are likely to have an adverse effect on directors and shareholders of small incorporated companies.

The new proposals will reportedly bring in an extra £2.54 billion in revenue for the 2016/17 tax year,�with smaller amounts continuing to bolster the public purse in future years.

The changes are an effort by the government to equalise tax laws for those who run unincorporated businesses.

So why has the Treasury decided to overhaul the current system?

The government is attempting to discourage tax-motivated incorporation, which means setting up a business as a limited company simply to enjoy a lower rate of tax on income.

In the past, directors/ shareholders of a limited company have been able to take a small salary from their business, which attracted enough tax to maintain their entitlement to the state pension.

The government’s objection, however, is that company profits are then used to extract a further dividend taxed at the much lower rate of 10%.

Here’s a summary of the changes to be introduced • A maximum annual Dividend Allowance of £5,000 is to come into force (after taking the personal allowance into account) • The existing 10% notional Dividend Tax Credit will be scrapped • Dividends over the £5,000 annual limit will be taxed at the following rates: > 7.5% on dividend income in the basic rate band

Strong objections from the business community With the inherent difficulties facing small businesses, fears have been expressed that the government is making it much harder for people in business to survive financially. This includes both individual contractors who have incorporated their businesses, and family-run companies.

In fact, an online petition has been started, objecting to these new rules. Company directors/ shareholders say that the

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rewards of low dividend taxation compensated for the long hours and risks they took when starting their business, and that their overall contribution to the economy needs to be more widely acknowledged by the government.

Are there any other changes to UK taxation in the forthcoming financial year?

Other announcements made in last year’s Budget include: • Pension tax relief changes - Restrictions on pension tax relief for those with an income of £150,000 or more will come into force from April 2016. A fixed rate of 33% will apply for all in the new tax year, regardless of the rate band.

• Savings interest - Said to be an acknowledgement of recent poor returns for savers, George Osborne also announced in last year’s budget that savings interest of up to £1,000 will no longer be taxed.

• Digital tax accounts - The ‘account’ will be similar to online banking in that details on how much is owed will be available to view at any time, and taxpayers will be able to make payments throughout the financial year rather than meeting a specific deadline.

These are all significant changes to taxation laws in the UK, and are set to bring in considerable sums for the Treasury, but the new dividend tax rules seem to be attracting the most concern and criticism. �http://www.itcontracting.com/ new-dividend-tax-april-2016/

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ST R N NO YLE AN EW W S & GE AV C OF AI OL LA OU BL RS E

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Hobbies Enjoy Hands-On History With The Detectorists

By Kate McLelland Last year the BBC TV series “Detectorists” (starring MacKenzie Crook and Toby Jones) not only won a BAFTA, but attracted thousands of fans. The series seems to have sparked a fresh interest in metal detecting, despite the fact that its main characters seldom find anything more valuable than the odd bottle top or metal button.

Some detectorists, however, seem to have the magic touch.

1n 2012, 86-year-old Cliff Massey dug up a stash of old coins in a field in Wrexham, North Wales and last summer he returned to the same field to discover a 15th century gold ring together with a 500 year old hoard of gold and silver coins.

If your appetite has been whetted by the many similar stories that have appeared in the media in recent years, here’s some advice to help you get started as a detectorist:

and depth of the device’s detecting capabilities, battery life, weight and ease of handling. But be warned: the more expensive detectors are often quite complex to use, so unless you are comfortable using new technology, your new gadget may end up unused in the cupboard under the stairs.

As well as a detector, your basic kit should include good quality digging tools such as a strong trowel or spade, waterproof clothing, sturdy boots or Wellingtons, gloves, a water bottle, First Aid equipment, a notepad and pencil, insect repellent and a Finds Bag, to protect those freshly-dug artefacts.

For your own safety, be sure to tell somebody where you are going on every outing and take along a fully charged mobile phone.

What you need How much time will you spend on your new hobby? If it’s just the odd weekend you may not want to invest too much in your detector. A starter model can be purchased from around £140 but a top of the range detector can cost upwards of £1,000.

Where to search Try gardens, riverbanks, beaches and common land (subject to by-laws) but get permission from the landowner first if you want to dig on private land. Establish a finds sharing agreement (signed by both parties) before you dig to avoid disagreements in the event of a valuable discovery.

A reputable dealer can offer expert knowledge on the range

Scheduled sites are protected areas of special historic

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interest (you will find lists in local museums or by going to Historic England site www. historicengland.org.uk) and you will need local authority permission to dig in those areas. dealing With finds If you are fortunate enough to find something of value, you will be expected to share any money received from a sale 50%-50% with the owner of the land.

The website www.finds.org.uk gives a full definition of the rules surrounding ‘Treasure Trove’.

All items classed as treasure must be handed over to the state: a committee then decides on the size of the reward to be given to the finder and landowner.

The idea of discovering hidden treasure may be exciting, but metal detecting isn’t just about the money. It’s a popular hobby that is open to all age groups and can be particularly beneficial to older participants as it keeps you physically and mentally fit.

Metal detecting is also a pastime that offers an unrivalled, hands-on approach to history that will expand your knowledge and appreciation of this country’s rich heritage.

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Better Bones Programme Kingston Better Service You are eligible for Bones our FREE 12-week exercise and education programme if:

Building strong bones is key to preventing osteoporosis UÊand Youfractures are aged over 50

UÊ Youcan have osteoporosis We help you to maintain good joint and bone health UÊ You are at risk of osteoporosis How do I know if I am at risk of osteoporosis? “...I really enjoyed my Factors which increase your risk: UÊ A broken bone after a minor bump or fall 12 weeks and my health and UÊ A family history of hip fracture or osteoporosis UÊ You had an early menopause (before 45) fitness have improved UÊ You have rheumatoid arthritis considerably...”

UÊ You regularly take corticosteroid tablets UÊ You smoke or consume more than 3 units of alcohol per day (Please note that there are other factors which increase your risk of fragile bones and fractures which are not listed here)

“...Simple clear exercises that can easily be done at home. I like the fact it was a very relaxed no pressure sort of class, very easy to participate in...”

Call 0300 123 8086 or visit http://betterbones.kingston.gov.uk (see overleaf for further details)

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Get in touch with us and we will complete a bone health questionnaire with you.

29/05/2015 15:29

Enquiries Telephone number: 0300 123 8086 Email: KINCCG.betterbones@nhs.net Website: http://betterbones.kingston.gov.uk To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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Beauty Gifts for Mother’s Day

by Kate Duggan www.kateduggan.co.uk Treat mum this Mother’s Day, with a luxurious beauty gift that she’d probably never dream of buying for herself.

Clarins’ make-up palettes are some of the best on the market in my opinion, and their latest offering is no exception. The Natural Glow Eye Shadow Palette, £33, features five very wearable shades, from light beige to warm brown, all housed in an attractive rose-gold coloured compact. They’re easy to apply, and the palette is perfect for keeping in a handbag to transform a natural day time look into night time glam. Get it quick though; it’s a limited edition, and if previous incarnations are anything to go by, it’s likely to sell out pretty fast.

If you’re looking to earn some serious brownie points, perfume is the way to go. Connock London‘s Kukui is brimming

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with floral notes, including gardenia, Moroccan rose, white jasmine and calla lily, but it’s given a grown-up, oriental twist with notes of sandalwood, vetiver, white amber and warm vanilla. The result is a truly gorgeous fragrance, and the bottle looks rather lovely sat out on display as well. There’s a very good chance this could become her new favourite scent. At £75 for 100ml, it’s not cheap, but consider it part-payment for all that teenage angst she had to deal with.

Buying a treat for a mum-to-be?

Neal’s Yard Remedies Mothers range has been specially formulated to nurture women during pregnancy. The range includes a balm, massage oil and bath oil. The balm and massage oil can help to prevent stretch marks, while the bath oil aids relaxation and a restful night’s sleep, as well as softening skin.

(It also smells rather lovely too.) Prices start from £15, so the range is great value, as a little goes a long way and each bottle is packed with high quality, natural ingredients, such as lavender oil, neroli and mandarin essential oils.

The Eco Chic Body Lotion and Shower Gel gift set by Green

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Energy Organics is ideal if you’re on a budget this Mother’s Day. Priced at £14.95, this is luxury on a shoestring.

Not only are the shower gel and lotion packed with skin friendly oils, such as avocado and jojoba, but they smell divine, with notes of blackcurrant, rose, myrrh, jasmine, tonka bean, vanilla, and white musk. They’re also very gentle, as they don’t contain any dyes, sodium lauryl sulphate or parabens. Available from millabaci.com

Pure Relaxing range. Team the body wash, body lotion and hand & nail cream with either the candle or diffuser to create an athome spa experience. Products are scented with lavender, geranium and other oils to help mum relax, unwind and de-stress.

Throw in a glass of prosecco and some music, and there’s little doubt you’ll be seen as the favourite child. Prices start from £6.

Dashing out last minute to buy a gift? Head to Marks and Spencer and check out their “The Ultimate Class for Mums and Babies” The Times

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email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

43

Golden Years

Memories of 50 Years Ago by Ted Bruning And that’s why we had decimalisation.

British, and born in the 1950s or earlier? Congratulations! You’re a genius at mental arithmetic!

There are no studies, surveys or statistics to prove this, but it stands to reason: you needed a brain from IBM just to work out your change!

Here’s a simple test for anyone under 50. On Friday you go out with £1.17.4. You buy a pint of mild for Alf at 1s 2d, a bottle of sweet stout for Alf’s missus Mabel (no white wine for the ladies in those days!) at 10 and 1/2d, a pint of bitter for yourself at 1s 5d, a packet of crisps at 3d, and a dark rum for old Harry at 1s 8d. Later, it’s your round again – same again but no crisps, and Harry has a double (which he never does when it’s his round!). Later still the fish man comes and you have a poke of shrimps, 4d; then you give the lass from the Sally Army 2d for a War Cry which you never actually read.

At chucking out time you buy a bottle of Guinness to take home, 1s 9d (1d back on the bottle).

So: have you got enough left over to see Rovers at home tomorrow and buy a pie and a Bovril at the ground?

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People think, wrongly, that Britain got decimalised on April 15th 1971, or D-Day as the press dubbed it. The real D-Day was March 1st 1966 when the Chancellor, Jim Callaghan, officially announced that the Government had accepted the report of a committee of enquiry (now more than two years old) and that a currency that was, in essence, more than 1,200 years old would be scrapped in five years’ time.

The announcement marked the end of a long, slow march towards decimalisation. When the Decimal Association was founded in 1841 many people saw it as another manifestation of that extreme rationalism that demanded a 13-month year and one universal language. But it at least succeeded in getting a new coin minted from 1849 onwards: the florin, worth two shillings – or 10 to the pound!

The florin, though, failed to our perception of the pound and shilling as the base units of currency. We were used to working with bases 12 and 20, and that’s why Britain was so good at arithmetic. (The above example is simple subtraction: imagine you were a wages clerk making up weekly pay-packets for 100-odd workers all of whom worked different hours at different rates!)

Another reason why the old money had to go was that it was so damned BIG! Have you ever seen it? You needed a gusset sewn into your change pocket or all those farthings, halfpennies,

cartwheel pennies, 12-sided threepenny bits, tanners, bobs, florins and half-crowns would wear a hole in it in days.

Still, there was a lot of resistance; and only when South Africa and Australia took the lead did Harold McMillan authorise the committee of enquiry in 1961. Once Mr Callaghan had made the formal announcement, though, things moved fast. The Decimal Coinage Act and the Decimal Currency Board came in 1969 along with the 50p piece.

The new 5p and 10p came in 1970 and were the same size as the shilling and florin they eventually replaced. The only real change on D-Day itself was the introduction of the new 1/2p, 1p and 2p, although even then the old coppers remained in circulation until August.

Was it worth it? A lot of old folk got fooled into thinking that 6p was the same as 6d when of course it was closer to 1s 2 and 1/2d; but my 23-year-old daughter is astonished and appalled that we put up with a system that mixed not only base 12 and base 20 but also fractions of the basic unit for so long. Still, we were brilliant at mental arithmetic!

Happy 50tH BirtHdays to Alan Davies (6th), Nigel Clough (19th), and Michael Imperioli (26th) Cake and botox to you all!

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The Life List Infamous Last Words We all know someone who has to have the last word in a conversation, but what about when it’s the last conversation ever? Unfortunately, that final utterance will live on after you, so you want to go out on an epic line.

Lord Palmerston (1784 - 1865), perhaps unintentionally, went for comedy with: “Die, my dear Doctor, that’s the last thing I shall do!” King Charles II (1630 - 1685) apparently uttered: “Let not poor Nelly starve”, which is surely a godsend for any elephant charities in need of a quote.

While you’re pondering your final declaration, here are some to avoid:

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• I’ve not achieved much but I’ve certainly watched some great television.

• I’m not wasting good money on a Sunday evening call-out for an electrician.

• Listen, I’ll go to the doctor’s when I’m good and ready.

• Maybe it’s the homemade Viagra; I got the recipe off the Internet.

• You know what? I think the milk might be off.

• Okay, a fiver says I can make that jump.

• Can anyone else smell gas?

• Watch this - apparently if you tickle a crocodile under the chin it puts them into a trance.

• Human catapult world record, here I come!

• My late uncle always said you could eat any type of mushroom once.

• I don’t believe in spontaneous human combustion.

• Oh, stop being dramatic; how big can a spider be? I’ll fetch it out of the cellar myself.

What do you mean ‘I’ll need a shovel’?

By Derek Thompson www.alongthewritelines.blogspot.co.uk

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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Gotta Get A Witness Iain Betson conducts enquires into an useful new website

Come-on, ‘fess up. I know it’s happened to you because it’s happened to me.

How many times have you seen, or been the victim of, down-right dangerous driving by another and wished that a policemen had also seen what you had experienced and nabbed the perpetrator?

Well now your wish can come true. It takes a little forethought and effort on your part, but if it helps to get numpty drivers and, frankly, those who seem to have little regard for human life when driving off the road and given their just desserts, then I think it’s time and money well spent.

The use of the dash-board mounted camera is comparatively recent in the UK, although it is rising. This is in contrast to Russia, where, judging from the hours of Youtube dash-cam uploads, its use seems universal.

Your own insurance protection Fitting one to your car is quite simple

and reasonably inexpensive to do, certainly when you consider that the material it captures could save you a fortune in insurance.

But what do you do with that footage if you do record bad, dangerous or illegal driving?

You could contact the police directly and show them the evidence, but your camera may not have recorded enough material for charges to be brought.

Alternatively, you could consider submitting it to the PoliceWitness.com website. The aim of the site is to highlight dangerous driving and that those responsible are now having their actions recorded. They also act as a conduit to the police and insurance companies when claims or charges are brought.

You may not have been the only one recording an incident, so the site can act as a collection point for other footage of the same incident, thereby increasing the chances of a prosecution.

An additional incentive for getting a dash-cam is that, to help insurance companies prove liability, they may also pay for your footage, meaning it could pay for itself.

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47

is preferable to subcontract where you lack expertise. As an authorpreneur (trust me, that’s a real term now) you’ll take a larger royalty per book sale and you can flex the cover price to offer promotions. It’s also easier to make changes if you do discover some howlers after publication (guilty as charged!).

Selfie Schtick

Self-publishing used to be equated with vanity publishing, but free software has enabled more and more writers to emulate Sinatra and do it their way - professionally and affordably.

As with traditional publishing, there are pros and cons.

On the plus side you can achieve a faster route to publication, or you can go at your own pace. Self-pubbing writers have total control over editing, proofreading, layout and cover design. This is not to say they have to do everything themselves; if funds allow, it

However, there are risks. It’s easy to lose objectivity when you only have to please yourself. And when you’re wearing so many hats you need to work to a plan.

Even on a budget there will be upfront costs - a high-quality cover design, for example, is a must. A marketing and publicity campaign can be run over social media, with or without expense.

I self-published my first novel, Covenant, as an Amazon ebook, using Sigil and Calibre software. I also had it professionally formatted as a Lighning Source paperback so that shops can stock it. Each process was largely painless, although time consuming, and I’ve gone on to make smaller ebooks.

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48

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WVM_A6ADVERT_2.indd 1

24/07/2015 14:02

Motoring That’s Mans Work, That Is

By Iain Betson Iain Betson dreams that many TLAs make light work.

Men! Ever washed your car?

Vacuumed the inside? Waxed the paintwork or shampooed the upholstery? Of course you have, ever since the dawn of the motorcar, that’s what Sundays have been for. Now the same question to the ladies? I bet the answer is mostly in the negative.

I was contemplating this as I gave one of our cars a bit of TLC. On occasion, as it’s not a big car, I give it a good manual clean, apply some elbow grease and spend time with a bucket, sponge and wax, on the drive. And when it comes to the interior it’s always me, bi-weekly, with the upright and the duster.

To diverge slightly, we have moved around a fair bit, about 8 moves in 10 years and as a result my wife and I have made a fair number of house viewings. Sometimes I would leave a property saying, “That’s the one for us” only to evoke a response of “No way, did you see the colour of the bathroom”.

On the surface, to a man,

this seems quite baffling - bathrooms can be replaced, so why the negative answer?

Women, by nature I think, are more house proud, for some reason - genes, conditioning, peer pressure or whatever - they just are.

Yet this is in stark contrast to the state of the cars the sexes drive. My wife will gladly drive a car which has an interior with more pebbles in the footwell than Brighton beach and soot blackened wheels to rival the cast of Oliver; whereas I look at it and think, “That’s a job for Sunday”. So why this clean car, clean house role reversal?

Sorry to be blunt but, in short, I don’t know, haven’t a clue, I’m a bloke. From my side I can see why cars should be clean, and if the toilet is in need of a makeover well that’s fine, but I really can’t from a woman’s perspective; unless, of course, I suddenly develop a liking for chintz curtains and opera then, maybe, I will.

Which brings me, via a hyper-jump, on to car press releases. The other day I had a test of the new VW Golf GTi and the accompanying press information contained well

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over ten TLAs (Three Letter Abbreviations) for the features and functions this car boasts.

HBA, ABS, ESP, TCS… I could go on.

Anyway, most of the TLAs referred to the way these systems affected the going, the handling and the stopping.

All well and good: a better responding car leads to a more enjoyable and safer ride, all good points well made. But I doubt whether the majority of drivers know or care about these features; they simply want to own and run a car that will get them safely from A to B with little fuss or effort.

However, if the manufacturers want to sell bucket loads of cars, here is one TLA feature I think they should pour millions into developing and immediately fit to their entire range. A TLA that would be close to all of our hearts I think the first manufacturer to provide it would clean up for good.

In fact, I may patent it myself.

My TLA car feature would be called SCC - Self Cleaning Car… I’ll leave you dreaming, I’m off to the Patent Office!

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

49

And Another Thing...

by Tom Hughes Follow Tom on Twitter @groomsdaybook I returned home from the health centre after my annual MOT to be confronted by my Dearly Beloved’s demand for the prognosis. “So Tom, how did your check up go?”

“A complete waste of time.

These new age medical fads will have me in an early grave.”

“In other words, she told you to go on a diet?”

“I think she muttered something about broccoli.”

“Did she measure your BMI?” “What didn’t she measure?

Anyway I think the old quack was down in the dumps, she kept saying things were morbid.”

please.”

After a trip to a large out of town sports retailer (which looked to me like one big jumble sale), I turned up at the sparkly new gym freshly clad in Lycra. I spotted my reflection in the reception mirror. I looked like a shrink-wrapped WC Fields.

A little boy dressed in crepe paper rustled towards me. I was about to ask him if he was a school boy on the run from the Wag Man when he cheerily piped up, “Hi I’m Jason, I’m going to be showing you around the gym.”

Sarah prised the card from my fingers. “A gym membership? You’re joining a gym?”

And so we entered a vast cathedral of glistening stainless steel and skin tight leggings. I strolled past all manner of appalling contraptions. Finally, we arrived in a dark corner of the gym, the floor of which was covered by squishy blue mats.

“Doctors orders apparently.

And less of the sniggers

“So Tom, if you would like to warm up?”

“As in obese? Right that’s it, no more biscuits for you.

What’s that in your hand?”

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“Warm up? Right, well you can either turn down the air conditioning or I can go and get my jumper.”

Jason looked worried. “OK, I’ll go and get Nigel. He’s going to do your induction.”

It was then I spotted him, bounding over like a Super Hero straight from the set of Avengers Age of Ultron.

Enviously I observed how Nigel suited Lycra a lot better than did I. “Hi Tom! My name’s Nigel … let me ask you some health questions, we don’t want you croaking on one of our machines and suing us, now do we?”

His laughter evaporated in the cold dry air of the gym.

“Seriously, do you work out?”

“The last time I worked anything out was the clock on our new oven and that left me pretty breathless, I can tell you.”

“Err OK, have you ever

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suffered from any of the following - angina, asthma, arthritis, slipped disc, joint pain, calcium deficiency?”

“Not as yet…” I said, warily.

“The warm up! You mean there’s more?”

“Oh yes! Another forty five minutes more.”

And with that a familiar voice was overheard: “Same again old chap?”

“Yes, why not?”

“Not for me there isn’t sunshine, that’s quite enough for one day, thank you.”

A pause then Sarah, her voice hardening, said “Tom…are you in the pub?”

Bad boy? I mouthed to myself. And so we set off on what can only be described as a Penrose Staircase of endless agony. After ten minutes of purgatory I held up my hand in protest. Nigel stopped the machine. “Are you alright Tom?”

“But Tom, don’t you want rock hard buns?”

“Sorry love, got to go. It’s my round. But if it’s any consolation, these vegetable crisps are broccoli flavour, so how’s that?”

“Thank goodness that’s over!” I gasped.

“How’s it going?”

“Great! Right, let’s jump on this bad boy.”

“Right Tom, that’s the warm up finished now let’s get you on one of these wicked machines.”

“If I want rock hard buns I’ll go home and fetch my bread making machine down from the loft.”

Half an hour later I answered a call from Sarah.

Well, as any athlete will tell you, it’s never advisable to over train.

“Great! I’m just in the middle of some bicep curls.”

“I hope he’s not working you too hard.”

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51

In the Pink at The Medicine Garden

G

uilty of eating too many calories and given up on your New Year get-fit-quick regime? Glad to have seen the back of ‘dry January’.

Whether you’ve over-indulged over Easter or are longing for longer days and shorter hours of darkness, don’t beat yourself up. De-stress with a shot of peace and well-being at The Medicine Garden, just a stone’s throw from Cobham High Street.

Whether a cold, crisp morning or a dry, raindrenched afternoon, your visit can still deliver the effect you’d hope for from a place with a name so suggestive of rejuvenation. There’s something for everyone here, and what’s more it’s free.

For the children, there’s a play area, complete with sandpit and wooden structures, as well as the whole garden to play in. Barbara, Margo and Geri - The Medicine Garden’s resident chickens – welcome a visit, and an art installation of 400 glass bricks designed and painted by children from a variety of schools and groups can provide an interesting diversion. I spotted one painted by someone I know, and it’s an impressive show of artistic talent and imagination.

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While the kids are at school, the adults can play.

The courtyard supports a number of small independent complementary businesses comprising art, antiques and upholstery among them - and there’s The Art Shed where you can see and buy a regularlychanging selection of local art work, and talk to and watch the artists at work there.

The walled garden is a main attraction in itself, being landscaped around a Wheel of Trees, inviting you to tap in to the qualities - Good Medicine - represented there. You can ‘Plant a Wish Stick’, and look out for the fox running across the top of the wall. You can spend your money at The Garden Shop and The Larder, but after a saunter round the Wheel, I finished my visit with tea in the Garden Pod Café.

Delicate china and a mix of shabby chic and vintage furniture and decor create just the right ambience to end a peaceful and invigorating few hours.

Prescribe yourself a visit.

An occasional article by local reader, Chris Williams.

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Interested in having your say on Growth and Infrastructure?

Join the debate at the Surbiton Neighbourhood Conversation this March Dear Resident, Kingston Council has launched Neighbourhood Conversations across the borough to talk about important local issues and we would like you to come along and join the debate.

You are invited to take part in Surbiton’s second Neighbourhood Conversation on Tuesday 22 March and discuss Growth and Infrastructure.

Each Neighbourhood Conversation follows a different theme, based on suggestions given by local residents. The Growth and Infrastructure theme will include areas such as affordable housing, local economy, health and education provision, and transport links. The suggested theme has been taken directly from feedback we’ve received from you on social media and at the last Surbiton Neighbourhood Conversation in November.

These events give local residents the chance to discuss priorities and develop solutions together with neighbourhood councillors and council officers. The feedback gathered will be developed into a new Community Plan for Surbiton to help focus the way services are delivered in the area.

The Growth and Infrastructure in Surbiton Conversation will take place on Tuesday 22 March, 7:30pm at Surbiton Royal British Legion, Hollyfield Road, Surbiton, KT5 9AL. You will have the chance to meet and talk with other attendees over a cup of tea or coffee from 7pm.

Please confirm your attendance to help us organise refreshments.

For more information or to RSVP visit www.kingston.gov.uk/conversation or call 020 8547 6377.

If you have access to Facebook search for Surbiton Neighbourhood for regular updates. You can also follow me on Twitter @GemmaGallant2 I look forward to meeting you in March.

Best Wishes, Gemma Gallant

Neighbourhood Manager for Surbiton Kingston Council

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email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

53

Short Story The Last Hat Standing By Jackie Brewster “Hey buddy. Are you the guy who’s judging?” A stout lady, with a voice like wet gravel, poked her face through the gap in the community hall curtains just behind Edgar.

He’d been patiently enjoying a cup of tea and a shortbread finger while the contestants for the Over Sixties Club Easter bonnet parade made their final adjustments at the other end of the hall.

“Will you be taking part?” Edgar asked pleasantly. The lady snorted in a way that suggested she would not.

“The name’s Barb.” She extended a hand through the curtains. “Originally from Tennessee.”

Edgar’s cup rattled in its saucer.

“You’re not, by any chance, Barbara Gibson, hat maker to the stars?”

Barb unscrewed the cap of a hipflask and took a slow swig.

“Yeah, that was me once.”

“I was a milliner too before I retired,” Edgar said to establish his judging credentials. He was actually very flattered to have been asked. It had been many years since his creations had caused sensations at Ascot, but he still considered himself capable of recognising the sublime when it came to headwear.

“I hope you’ve read the parade rules,” Barb said ruefully.

“Surely it’s just a question

54

of choosing the finest creation?” Edgar answered blithely.

Barb snorted again.

“Trust me buddy, I did this gig last year. They all like to pretend it’s about the pretty bonnets.” She looked him up and down. “I’ll give you a head’s up. It’s three laps of the hall and whichever hat makes it past the finishing line is the winner.”

“The finishing line?” Edgar had never heard of a parade with a finishing line. “Like a race?”

“You call it a race,” Barb coughed, “I call it a Battle Royale.”

“What’s the point of having a judge?” Edgar asked, amazed.

“Your job is to make sure there’s no cheating,” Barb said.

“Keep those pretty blue eyes peeled for illegal bobby pins, chin straps and gaffer tape. As for the pushing and shoving, well…” Her words tailed off.

“The quality of the hat doesn’t matter?” Edgar asked, suddenly nervous.

“Sure it matters,” Barb said.

“Rule number one: the hat has to be robust enough to stay on the head.”

“Obviously!” Edgar declared.

Barb frowned, and continued.

“Laps one and two are all very sedate and ladylike. But you wait until you see the mad scramble on the final lap. It gets ugly. Those bonnets soon start

to tumble.” She stared off into the distance with a haunted expression. “I’ve not been able to contemplate a hat since.”

Edgar observed the elderly ladies preparing for the parade more closely. Some were putting the final touches to their bonnets but others were doing stretches and warm up exercises. Mrs Hurd the Club Chair was surreptitiously attaching elbow pads, and Mrs Rickett, the frail dear who ran the raffle, was doing squats in her leg warmers while wearing a gum shield.

“You want to watch that one,” Barb followed his gaze, “she’s a regular Zola Budd.”

“What about the artistry?”

Edgar was horrified.

“If, by some miracle, more than one hat crosses that finishing line still attached to a head, then, and only then, do you get to choose the prettiest.” Barb gave him a rueful wink. “It looks like they’re ready for the off.”

The ladies of the Over Sixties Club organised themselves into a guilty looking line by the tea urn.

“You’re going to need this.”

Barb handed him a whistle as she retreated into the shadows.

Edgar swallowed. With a shaking hand, he lifted the whistle to his dry lips and blew.

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Maundy Thursday|24TH MARCH|7:30PM Supper with Holy Communion

Good Friday|25TH MARCH|10:30AM All Age Service

Good Friday|25TH MARCH|2:00PM Hour at the Cross

Easter Day|27TH MARCH|10:30AM All Age Service

www.emmanueltolworth.org.uk || 02083902372 1 Grand Avenue||Surbiton||KT5 9HU

ADVERTISING IS AS EASY AS CRACKING EGGS! Your advertising can be a package for as little as ÂŁ51 a month when you advertise for a year in A Berrylands Companion

Tel Karen on: 020 8274 0096 To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

CONTACT: email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

55

QUIZ SOLUTIONS CROSSWORD SOLUTION

HIDATO SOLUTION

CODEWORD SOLUTION

WORDWHEEL ANSWER Minaret / Raiment WORDSEARCH ANSWER Spring, the music of open windows Terri Guillemets

CHILDREN’S PAGE Triceratops - A Diplodocus - B Tyrannosaurus Rex - C Ankylosaurus - D Stegosaurus - E Eoraptor - F The two fossils that are the same....

B & E are the same.

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WORD LADDER ANSWER (This is one solution, there may be others)

HIDE bide bids beds bees sees SEEK

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Portugal Cruising on the Douro River

By Solange Hando The Douro has its source in northern Spain but Portugal claims the only navigable section, stretching just over 130 km from the estuary in Porto to the Spanish border.

It might take a day or two to sail upstream but most ships plan a leisurely return journey, stopping at various mooring spots and including a number of on-shore excursions.

Either way, there is plenty of excitement: low bridges when the sundeck roof and even the captain’s cabin may have to be lowered, and locks, all five of them, including the Carrapatelo, one of the deepest in Europe. Passersby look down in awe from the top, water thunders on the roof then at last the gate opens, a mere 12 metres wide, and the boat gently slips out into the sunlight.

Cruising the Douro is about scenery and wine with ample opportunities to taste the latter, be it the light golden ‘Vinho Verde’ and other sparkling wines or the ubiquitous Port, red or white, which is produced at no higher than 500 metres. As for the scenery, it’s simply magic as ships sail in slow motion

along the ever meandering river, now spreading out like a lake, now peeping into a fjord with myriad reflections or squeezing through a narrow gorge between towering cliffs and ochre-coloured rocks. The river depth ranges form 70 metres to 40 cm and it takes all the captain’s skills to dock and navigate the shallows.

Wooded slopes frame the lower reaches, dotted with redroofed villages and chapels, but before long, settlements thin out and vineyards take over, draping every rolling hill in luminous green or autumn colours under the watchful eye of remote wineries. Some vineyards plunge straight down to the water in neat vertical lines, others cling to horizontal terraces retained by stone walls. They say that if you put all the stones end to end, you could build two Great Walls of China.

It’s a quiet land with few people around, except at harvest time, and little to disturb the peace but the occasional greeting of ships passing each other.

Sometimes a train races along the bank, a heron lands on a tree or a vulture hovers high above the cliffs. Fish pop out of

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the water, leaving silvery rings on the surface, and in Barca d’Alva, martins nesting under the bridge perform a brilliant aerial dance to catch insects in the sunset.

Barca d’Alva is the last place in Portugal, looking across to the border and Terra de Vegon, the final mooring and a convenient stop for a day trip into Spain and the world heritage city of Salamanca. Others drive up to the lovely medieval village of Castelo Rodrigo, basking in the sun among olive and almond groves. Then there’s Regua downstream, just a 30 minute drive from the pilgrimage shrine of Lamego, and Pinhao with its riverside promenade lined with palms and oleander, its steep cobbled lanes, its Roman bridge and railway station glistening with blue and white tiles depicting scenes of local life. Not so far away, the Mateus Palace sits among gardens of fragrant box and flowering trees while up in the hills, traditional inns serve Portuguese fare and local wine. Vineyards, river and hills, it’s all part of the enticing Douro landscape protected by UNESCO, and the International Nature Park shared with neighbouring Spain.

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

57

COMMUNITY PAGE British Summer Time starts, so remember to TURN clocks FORWARD one hour before you go to bed, on Saturday 26th March

27th

Disclaimer

For all gardeners and allotment holders!

We are a small friendly local society providing gardening supplies at very reasonable prices to our members: 9 Seeds, summer and spring bulbs, onion sets, seed potatoes.

9 Summer bedding plants and other young plants according to season.

9 Traditional and organic fertilizers and soil improvers/conditioners.

9 Lawn and rose treatments, weedkillers, pest controls.

9 Growbags and bagged compost, pots, gloves, trays, canes, netting etc.

Annual membership just £2, senior citizens £1.

Website:www.horticultural.moonfruit.co.uk Email: chesshort@live.co.uk

Our trading hut is conveniently sited at Moor Lane Allotments (just off Moor Lane near The Bonesgate pub) Open every Sunday 10am to 12noon, except December.

In accordance with our "members only" policy, new members are always welcome to join!

Annual Membership just £2.50, senior citizens £1.50

58

Whilst all reasonable care is taken to ensure the accuracy of information included in A Berrylands Companion , the publisher takes no responsibility for the accuracy of statements made by contributors or advertisers, or for the loss arising from non-publication of any advertisement.

Any errors, omissions or offers are the resposibilty of the advertiser. All artwork is accepted on the condition that the advertiser has obtained permission from any copyright holder for its use by A Berrylands Companion. Whilst every care is taken when printing artwork, we cannot guarantee an exact colour match due to variations in print processes. Bookings are accepted only on this basis.

It is the advertiser’s responsibility to submit any amendments to adverts by the deadline date of the 8th.

To advertise any event, or community activity in the magazine, please call: Karen on 020 8274 0096 or email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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27. Plant - sucking insects (5)

Down:

COMMUNITY PAGE

1. Terminate gradually (5,3) 2. A Sultanate in northwestern BorneoSociety (6) Surbiton & District Historical 3. Horologist (10) 4. Slightly open (4) Tues 1st March: This isto the important 5. Engage somebody entermost the army (6) Represents or performs if in is a play date in6. our programme, asasthis our(6)AGM. 8. Come to terms with (7) The meeting starts atprovocation 7.45pm. (5) No charge 9. Shortened term for 13. Returning to political officeevening.

(10) is made for visitors this Come 15. Unusually great in size (7) and find out more about our Society and 16. After sunrise and before sunset (8) perhaps become a member.

Refreshments 17. Strong and sharp (5) Having at littlethe emotion (6) will be18.served endorofsensibility the meeting, for 20. Add to the very end (6) which22. there is no charge.

The highest point; culminate (6) 24. Compass point (4)

Tues 5th April: Dr Jonathan Oates will talk about “The Life & Crimes of Acid Bath October Sudoku Murderer, John George Haigh”.

Evening meeting as below.

Meetings start time: 7.45pm at Surbiton Library Hall, Ewell Road, Surbiton. Visitors welcome, Contribution of £2 appreciated For more details about meetings and the Society, call The Secretary: 020 8399 4473 Email: lenandmarilyn@virginmedia.com

HOOK ALLOTMENTS AND GARDENS ASSOCIATION Are you interested in gardening?

Did you know there is an association in Hook?

Our Association was founded over 50 years ago and is run36 by volunteers, can provide a E Page 33-40.indd wide range of composts, fertilisers, seeds and other gardening products at not-for-profit prices to our members. We support gardeners and allotment holders.

We currently have full and half plots available to rent. Contact: John on 07807 300 749 Membership is £2.50 a year and new allotment holders have free membership for the first year Our trading facility is situated next to the entrance to the allotment plots, beyond the rugby club pavillion, rear of King Edward’s Recreation Ground, Hook Road, Chessington Open: Sundays 10am - 12 noon Feb - Nov 10am - 11am Nov - Jan

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

Remember, you can pick up a copy of A Berrylands Companion magazine at the following: C.D.Jennings, B&M Budget Store, Surbiton & Tolworth Libraries, Shan’s Pharmacy, Tolworth Recreation Centre, The Lamb, MBE Surbiton, Londis Ewell Road Read it whilst you wait at: Aspen Vets, Berrylands Autocare Garage, Cornerhouse Dentist If you would like copies at your business please call me on: 020 8274 0096

Deadlines for submitting new artwork for forthcoming issues of A Berrylands Companion 8th March for April issue 22/01/2010 00:22:03 8th April for May issue 8th May for June issue June 8th for July/Aug issue Aug 8th for September issue Sept 8th for October issue 8th Oct for November issue 8th Nov for Dec/January issue 8th Jan for February issue 8th Feb for March issue For more information call Karen on 020 8274 0096 or send an email to

karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

59

What’s on in March:-

Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month; Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

Until June 30th 2017: Star Wars Exhibition at Madam Tussauds. Tkts: Child £25, Adult £31, Family, 2A + 2 C £108.

Until 9th April, Talking Objects, Sharing Stories: exhibition at Kingston Museum.

20 migration stories from the Borough’s South Asian community. Open: Tuesday, Friday and Saturday 10am - 5pm, Thursday 10am - 7pm. Admission Free.

Events in March:

1st: St David’s Day 3rd World Book Day 3-9th: National Multiple Sclerosis Week 5th: Evening of Clairvoyance with Ashley Mills, Sunray Community Centre,

Knollmead, Tolworth. Admission £3.

5th & 9th: The Art of Mosaic,a 4 week arts course at Kingston Mueum, learn about the

Romans and the art of mosaic, Ages 6+ Fee applies, call: 020 8547 5006 to book.

10.30 - 12.30 6th: Mothers’ Day 7-13th: British Pie Week 8th: International Womens’ Day 9th: No Smoking Day, Commonwealth Day 10-13th: Crufts at NEC Birmingham 11-20th: British Science Week 13th: St Patrick’s Day Parade, from Piccadilly to Whitehall.

14th: Surbiton Arts Group Workshop, untutored still life and 66th AGM, 8pm - 10pm 14-18th: Schools’ Autism Awareness Week 17th: St Patrick’s Day

Kingston Museum, Saxon storytelling, learn about Saxon Kingston £10.

Refreshments provided. Call museum to book. 5.30 - 7.00 18-20th: Sports Relief 18-24th: Down’s Syndrome Week 19th: Head of the River Boat Race 4.25 miles/ 6.8 kms, from Mortlake to Putney.

Surbiton Farmers’ Market, Maple Road, Surbiton. 9am - 1pm.

Fircroft Trust Jumble Sale, 11.30am - 2.30pm at The Fircroft Trust, 96 Ditton Road

Surbiton, KT6 6RH. Tel: 020 8399 1772. Entrance 50p, children free. A variety

of stalls & refreshments. Donations of good quality items appreciated, collection

can be arranged.

20th: Palm Sunday. Spring Equinox

World Oral Health Day 21st: World Downs Syndrome Day 22nd: World Water Day 24th: Maundy Thursday. Purim

World Tuberculosis Day 24th - 9th April: Easter Egg Eggstravaganza, celebrate Spring with some seasonal fun. Free craft

activities, Thumbs up it’s Thursday and the annual Easter egg hunt. Ages 5+, younger

siblings welcome, 1-4pm 24-30th: National Butchers’ Week 25th: Good Friday Bank Holiday 27th: Easter Sunday. British Summer Time, clocks ‘spring’ forward.

28th: Easter Monday Bank Holiday Events in April: Bowel Cancer and IBS Awareness Month 1st April Fools’ Day 1st April-May 2nd: National Pets’ Month 1st: Walk to Work Day 2nd: World Autism Awareness Day

International Childrens’ Book Day 7th: World Health Day 11th: Surbiton Arts Group, Botanical demo and workshop by Marcia Hughes.8 - 10pm 11-17th: National Gardening Week.

23rd:

60

St George’s Day

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What’s On/Local Events

1st Tuesday: NHS Retirement Club, 10-12pm at Christ Church Hall, Christ Church Road, Surbiton, KT5 8JJ. For information call Lorna: 020 8337 4121 Last Sunday of the month: Women on Wheels, meet outside Clas Ohlson Market Place 10.00. 020 8547 5865. E-mail: ccst@rbk.kingston.gov.uk St Marks Church:Weds mornings 10.00-11.30 Stay and Play for Toddlers and Carers at St Mark’s Church Hall, St Mark’s Hill. Friday Mornings Coffee and Cake corner 10-11.30am, drop in for coffee at St Andrew’s Church, Maple Road, no booking required for any of them.

Tiny Tunes: Mon 10am & 10.50am at Surbiton Library Hall. Tues 10am & 10.50am at St Nicholas Parish Church, Summer Rd, Thames Ditton. All sessions 40 mins long, features music, dance, parachutes, bubbles & pom-poms. Age 3 months -5 years, pay as you go £5, siblings £2.50 www. tinytuneslive.com Kingston Pensioners’ Forum: Meets 2nd Monday each month at Reform Church, Eden Street 2pm. New members welcome. Talks, outings and tea and coffee. For more info: Pam Wilson Secretary, 020 8241 9913, www.kingstonpensionersforum@hotmail.co.uk Kingston Camera Club: Camera enthusiasts welcome. Meet Mon eves, at St John’s Ambulance HQ, Athelstan Rd off Villiers Avenue. 7.30pm - 10pm with coffee break. New members welcome. For more information visit: www.kingstoncameraclub.com Kingston Philatelic Society: Meets 8-10pm on 1st Thurs & 3rd Fri, at Surbiton Library Hall, Ewell Road. Info: Brian Sole Tel: 01932 220 677 or email: brian.sole@btinternet.com Surbiton Floral Club: 1st Weds of the month at Raeburn Hall United Reform Church, Elgar Avenue.

7.30 for 7.45pm start. Floral demos, talks, workshops & outings. Tel: 020 8399 8193 Mrs Bennet’s Ballroom:Wednesdays. Learn Regency dancing at St Mark’s Church Hall, Surbiton, 8pm - 10.30pm. Cost £5 per eve. See advert. Contact Libby Curzon, 020 8391 1215. Email: curzone@hotmail.com Surbiton Club for the Blind and Visually Impaired: Meets alternate Tues 2-4pm at Surbiton Hill Methodist Church, Ewell Road. Social club with entertainment and tea. Transport available if necessary. For information: 0744 364 3716 . Volunteer drivers very welcome.

Oasis daytime group for over 60s: at Emmanuel Church, Grand Avenue, Tolworth. Plenty of opportunity to chat, play games, do puzzles. Meetings, Wednesday 16th March, includes a 5 minute Bible-based talk. Meetings on Wednesdays fortnightly, at 2.30pm. Tel: 020 8390 6631.

Open Door: Alternate Thursdays, 2.30 - 4.15pm, from 4th February. A friendship group aimed at seniors. Afternoon tea, chat and short talks from local organisations. Christ Church Lounge, King Charles Road, Surbiton. 020 8390 7215 Berrylands Women’s Club: Meets every Mon evening, 8pm at Elgar Hall, United Reform Church, Raeburn Avenue, . Talks, slides and outings. Contact: Joyce Johnson Tel: 020 8390 5817 Art Classes: Every Monday 10-12noon & 2-4pm, with Berrylands Artists at Berrylands Christian Centre, 41 King Charles Road, Surbiton, KT5 8PF. Info: 020 8644 0941 Chinese Brush Painting: Held once a month at Sunray Community Centre, Knollmead, Tolworth.

10-13.00pm Contact Gwen: 020 8398 7313. Beginners & intermediates welcome.

Encore Singing Group: Mondays, 10am - 12.15pm in Berrylands. For info: gillyvor@hotmail.com Scottish Country Dancing: On Thursdays 7.30pm - 10.30pm at St Mark’s Church Hall. Tuition for half an hour from 7.30. Membership £5 a year, Members £3/evening, non-members £4. Join our friendly, informal club for good fun and an easy way to excercise. Check website: www. surbitoncaledonian.co.uk or call: 01932 784 866 Talking of Trains in Surbiton: Programme of talks at Surbiton Library Hall, each Wednesday evening from 23rd Sept, throughout winter months. First meeting free, fee for complete year is £50. Details on www.talkingoftrains.co.uk For further information contact: David Blackmore, 020 8391 1116.Em: dandp@blueyonder.co.uk

If your club or society is not listed on the Local Events, send in the details!!

Why not send in your events for April and May for the What’s On page ?

Clubs, Schools, Churches, & Charity events should be submitted to karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

61

Index Please mention the magazine when contacting advertisers 19 26 27 5 27 8 39 27 24 25 31 29 29 25 23 21 20 23 63 19 31

Home & Garden All Your Garden Needs Berrylands Building Company Berrylands Property Maintenance Carpets4U Chris Mould Plumber Crystal Landscapes Dream Doors (Kingston Kitchens) George Curren Electrical Goodroofs James Anthony KB Design Kevin Robinson Decorators Leverett Electricals M.Duffell Decorator Oven Cleaners Pro-Fit Windows Systems R.J.Tree Services Shaun Overy Heating & Plumbing Time4U Will Lord William Stallion Electricals

33 2 33 33 41

Care & Health Anna Dennis Acupuncture Corner House Dental Practice Chessington Hypnotherapy Clinic Halo Homecare Kingston Council Better Bones

43 7 55 37 43 31 64 7

Rest & Relaxation Anna Coe D H & R L Goring Art Exhibition Emmanuel Church King George Field Bowls Club Mrs Bennet’s Ballroom Classes Rebel Waltz Cycle Solutions Surbiton Racket & Fitness Club Yoga Long Ditton

37 7 37 8

Children & Education Margaret Barnes Ballet School Maths & English Tuition Monkey Music Shivanthi Piano Lessons

35 35

Veterinary Aspen Veterinary Surgery Cats Protection League

51 47 45 46 48

Car Maintenance Alan Sursham Berrylands Autocare Community Motors K&P Tyres Walsh Vehicle Management

15 8 9 25

Food & Drink C.D.Jennings CF & MC Stears Greengrocer Langley’s Restaurant Prithi

28

Solicitors Lewis-Dick

60/61 32 58/59 29 34 3 18 12 14 10 53 57 52

Articles & Editorials Community Pages Kids Page What’s On & Local Events Pages Crossword Book Review Useful Telephone Numbers Gardening by Pippa Greenwood Recipe Paul Rankin’s Trout & Salsa Grits Baking Eric Lanlard Exclusive: Paul Rankin Interview Kingston Council Neighbourhood Meeting Travel: Cruising on the Douro Walled Garden Visit

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Just because there is already an advert for a similar one, please do not think we will not take your advert!

There are so many businesses, trades and services that are not represented in

A Berrylands Companion From as little as £42.50 a month your advert can feature here for a year!

An email with your artwork will ensure it is featured.

So What is Stopping You? Call Now!

Contact Karen: tel: 020 8274 0096 email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

62

Magazine printed by Warwick Printing, Warwickshire

Email: surbiton@timeforyou.co.uk 63

Spring into action!

Whatever the weather there’s always something going on at Surbiton Racket & Fitness Club. Come and try!

Indoor and Cardio Tennis, Squash, Racketball, Zumba, Pilates, Indoor Cycling, our Life Fitness Gym and much, much more. Drop in and look for yourself.

FRee

one Day PaS * S Text ‘Surbiton’ followed by yo ur name and address to

63333

oad ill R Surbiton H

Villiers Road

Berrylands Station

Berrylands Rd

Surbiton Station

New

healthy menu for Spring! *Text messages will cost your standard message rate. You will not be charged to receive texts from us.

Surbiton Racket & Fitness Club, Berrylands, Surbiton, Surrey, KT5 8JT T: 020 8399 1594 | E: info@surbiton.org | www.surbiton.org

64

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