JULY-AUG 2020 ISSUU 150 by Karen

Month: July/August 2020 Issue No: 150 Independent monthly community news and business directory for KT5 & KT6

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

D NEEO F A RO

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Hello Readers

t last, A Berrylands Companion has bounced back as a magazine again! And as this is the Summer edition, it is a ‘bumper issue’ with more articles all relevant for Summer. It has been such a traumatic time for so many over the last few months, and our hearts and sympathies go out to all those who have lost loved ones in this pandemic. If you have had to stop working for a while, I hope that you have been able to ‘bounce back’ as well. Do you need to reach out to customers and clients to tell them you are able to provide a service? Instead of distributing leaflets, contact me to arrange an advert in the magazine. Residents usually keep each edition as a reference point, at least until the next issue! Some of our usual articles have run their course and this may be the last time they appear in the magazine, but I hope we will be bringing in new pieces which you will enjoy.

Whilst there has not been a printed magazine for the lockdown period, they were uploaded to the ISSUU site, and I have given you the links to those editions on another page. Given the restrictions we are still currently under, I am unable to include the Community Pages as most clubs have not yet had the OK to restart their meetings. Plus sadly, I cannot do the usual Diary of Events page for the same reason. Hopefully, by the September edition, more restrictions will have been lifted and we will be back to almost normal, whatever that will be! Please all stay safe and keep well, and hope to meet again in September!

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 08457 484 950 0870 608 2608 0844 335 1802 0844 335 1801

Emergencies/Utilities: 0800 111 999 Gas Emergency 0800 783 8866 Electricity Emergency 0845 920 0800 Water Emergency 0800 800 151 BT Fault Line 0845 142 0000 Virgin Media 0800 555 111 Crimestoppers 020 8546 7711 Kingston Hospital 0800 1111 Childline 116 123 Samaritans 0800 00 99 66 Age Concern Kingston Relate www.relatekh.org 020 8549 3318 020 8547 3202 Domestic Violence Helpline www.victimsupport.org.uk 020 8721 2518 Surbiton Safer Neighbourhood Team based at Millbank House 020 8721 2518 Surbiton Local Police contact: surbitonhill.snt@met.police.uk Edward Davey MP Surbiton Office, 020 8288 2736 21 Berrylands Road KT5 8QX

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Make your own masks

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email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re back as a magazine again!

I hope that you are as glad as I am that A Berrylands Companion is back as a magazine. It has been a difficult time for us all for the last few months. Being unable to deliver the magazine meant that I had to provide a copy on line only. Although I did add the links for the May and June issues on the magazineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s face book page, there may be some people who missed it.

So here are the links to those editions: The May issue is: https://issuu.com/berrylands/docs/pages_1-24 The June issue is: https://issuu.com/berrylands/docs/pages_1-28r Make sure that you check out the face book page and please like the page!

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How Can You Protect Your Money With a Lasting Power of Attorney and a Will? Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) are legal documents that help to protect your money if you’re unable to manage your own finances for any reason. Wills contain instructions on how your money should be distributed when you die. So Lasting Power of Attorney So why why should shouldyou youmake makea a Lasting Power of and a Will,and andahow youhow do it? looking Attorney Will,doand doLet’s you start do it?byLet’s start at Lasting of Attorney. by lookingPowers at Lasting Powers of Attorney.

What is isaLasting Attorney and why What LastingPowers Power ofofAttorney and why do do you you needneed one?one? A Lasting Power of Attorney is a document that appoints A Lasting Powers of Attorney is a document that one or more individuals (attorneys) to make decisions appoints one or more individuals (attorneys) to and act on your behalf (the donor) in relation to your make decisions and act on your behalf (the donor) property, finances, health and welfare.

in relation to your property, finances, health and welfare.

Should you suffer a stroke, lose mental capacity or Should youasuffer a stroke, loseamental experience debilitating ailment, Lastingcapacity Power ofor experience a debilitating Attorney ensures importantailment, aspects a ofLasting your lifePowers are of Attorney important aspectsyou of your taken care ofensures by one or more individuals trust.life are

taken care of by one or more individuals you trust.

Setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney Setting up a Lasting Powers of Attorney. You can ask a solicitor to draw up these documents for you setask them up yourself. If youup decide set up a You or can a solicitor to draw thesetodocuments Lasting of Attorney yourself,If you be to over for you Power or set them up yourself. youmust decide set eighteen and have the of mental capacity to do you so. must up a Lasting Powers Attorney yourself,

How make a Will? Howdo doyou you make a Will?

There are two types of Lasting Power of Attorney:

be worth considering.

be over 18 and have the mental capacity to do so.

There are two types of Lasting Power of Attorney. • Property financial affairs • Property andand financial affairs • Health and welfare • • Health and welfare You can download the forms from the gov.uk website or complete them online. They must be registered You the Public forms from the gov.uk website with can the download Office of the Guardian before they or complete themeffective, online. They must be registered with per the can become which currently costs £82 Office of the Public Guardian before they can become document. effective, which currently costs £82 per document.

What is a Will and why do you need one?

What is a Will and why do you need one? A Will documents documentsyour yourwishes wishes regarding what A Will regarding what happens happens to your money, property and possessions to your money, property and possessions when you die. when you die. This may be a straight forward This may be a straightforward instruction to pass your instruction to pass your entire estate to your spouse, entire estate to your spouse, for example, but some for example, but some situations are more complex. situations are more complex.

A Will allows you to decide in advance who will A Will allows you to decide in advance who will inherit inherit your money and possessions. Making a Will helps inheritance tax.aorWill reduce your moneyyou andavoid possessions. Making helps ityou inheritance tax currently stands 40% and applies avoid inheritance tax, or reduce it –atinheritance tax to some deceased estates over £325,000* currently stands at 40% and applies to some deceased estates over £325,000.¹

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As with a Lasting Power of Attorney you can ask a solicitor

As with a Lasting Power of Attorney you can ask a

or professional Will writer to make yourtoWill or you can do solicitor or professional Will writer make your Will

you canSome do it charities yourself.also Some also offer itoryourself. offercharities free or reduced cost free or reduced cost Will-writing services in return for a donation, so this may be worth considering.

Will-writing services in return for a donation, so this may

It’s sensible to seek professional assistance in drawing up your Will if your circumstances aren’t straight forward. you do decide to write your own It’s sensible to seekIfprofessional assistance in drawing up Will, you can buy ‘blank’ templates that provide your Will if your circumstances aren’t straightforward. If simple guidance and example wording at stationery you do decide to writeYou’ll your own Will, can buy ‘blank’ stores and online. need to you consider who to appoint as your Trustee(s) and who will inherit your templates that provide simple guidance and example money at and possessions. Drawing up a Lasting wording stationery stores and online. You’ll need to

Powers of Attorney and a Will protects your money if you fall ill or lose mental capacity, and inherit money and possessions.Drawing up a Lasting in theyour event of your death. consider who to appoint as your Trustee(s) and who will

Power of Attorney and a Will protects your money if you fall

Writing these documents is an important

ill or lose mental at capacity, andbut in the event of your death. consideration any age, it becomes more so

as youthese get older - a time when yourconsideration health may at be Writing documents is an important more likely to fail.

any age, but it becomes more so as you get older – a time

* www.gov.uk/inheritance-tax when your health may be more likely to fail. www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney

¹www.gov.uk/inheritance-taxwww.gov.uk/power-of-attorney

www.which.co.uk/money

www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/plan-

www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/planning-whatning-what-to-leave-in-your-will to-leave-in-your-will

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

Deadlines for submitting new artwork for forthcoming issues of A Berrylands Companion 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 8th March for April issue 8th April for May issue 8th May for June issue June 8th for July/Aug issue

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Taxation advice and guidance to local businesses Taxation advice and sole traders and guidance to for more than local businesses 15 years. and sole traders for more than 20 years.

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A Cats Protection Success Story â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Scotty & Scarlett Scotty and Scarlett came into care from a desperately sad situation. They had not been well looked after and so although still young enough to be socialised they were very traumatised and nervous. They came a long way in care and it was going to take a special and patient home to allow them to blossom. Well the right owners came along prepared to see past the shyness and adopted them into their family. After a few days of settling in they became more confident exploring up the stairs with Scarlett being the braver more curious one but Scotty loving catching fish on the iPad. One month on they were exploring the whole house and their cheeky characters started to come out and they were chasing each other around and becoming very curious about the outside. They had become very happy and settled. The next step was exploring the garden and this went very well. Both cats love their food and always come running back in when they hear the bell for food. Scarlett purrs whenever food is being put in bowls and Scotty snuffles like a little piglet! One year on they are a complete part of the family. They are happy, active, and playful. They break into any food bags they can find and try to help themselves to treats whenever possible! Their owners say they bring them great joy and I have no doubt after such a tough start in life Scarlett and Scotty would reciprocate this.

Scotty

Scarlett

Happy cats, happy owners thanks to Cats Protection!

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DOG DAYS OUT

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Research where you’re going

It’s a truth universally acknowledged…if your dog isn’t happy, you won’t be either! Find a location where you are both welcome and remember that many coastal resorts don’t allow dogs on their beaches in high season.

Travelling in the car

It’s a good idea to pack all your dog’s needs into a separate bag or rucksack so you have easy access to water, poop bags and car sickness tablets where necessary. Don’t forget to take travel bowls and treats too, and a restraint if they travel inside the car rather than in the boot.

At your destination

It’s a legal requirement for dogs to be micro chipped now, but it’s still advisable to keep your dog on a lead when you’re out and about in unfamiliar places, whether that’s a short lead or an extender that gives them a little more freedom.

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Taking your dog for days out this summer should be an enjoyable experience for all if you plan ahead and do your research. It’s a great opportunity to create some happy memories and make the most of the joy your dog brings to the family.

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email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

PROOF B

Berrylands Nature Reserve issue a warning on the Oak Processionary Moth As you may have seen recently on our social media channels a local resident recently contacted us as they suspected they had spotted a Oak Processionary Moth nest on one of the trees in Berrylands N a t u r e Reserve. Since then we've observed further nests, and had these identifications professionally verified by the Tree Health Diagnostic and Advisory Service at Forest Research. This information has been passed on to Kingston Council and we understand they will be conducting additional surveys of our local trees, and spraying or removing the nests in the coming weeks. The caterpillars of Oak Processionary Moth are damaging pests to oak trees and a hazard to both human and animal health. The caterpillars shed toxic hairs which can cause unpleasant skin and eye irritation and sometimes breathing difficulties to people and animals, and feed extensively on the leaves of the tree leaving them more

susceptible to other pests and diseases. It is very important that if you do spot anything you do not touch or go near the caterpillars or nests, or try to remove them yourself, and if you experience any serious allergic reaction you should seek medical attention. You can help! If you spot any processions or clusters of caterpillars, silken webbing trails, or nests on the trunks or branches of our local oak trees then please drop us an email to berrylandsnr@gmail.com, and we can continue to work with the council to get them safely treated. If you spot them elsewhere you can also report them using the Forestry Commission's TreeAlert service: forestresearch.gov.uk/treealert

w: berrylandsnaturereserve.org e: berrylandsnr@gmail.com

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A Summer Holiday On Four Wheels

Renting a camper van or motorhome for your summer break is a truly different experience to a holiday home stay. Clearly it’s much smaller, but the ‘Wendy house’ feel is a lot of fun and being able to visit a number of places without packing and unpacking every time is a joy. SMALL VW and small camper vans look cool and are easy to get around in. They are small inside though and don’t have toilet facilities. They work well in good weather and for a couple of nights, but much longer than that and you’ll be longing for a bit of social distancing! If that’s all your budget will stretch to and there are more than two of you, make sure you get an awning for extra storage and living space. MEDIUM A camper van is a van which has been converted to a living space. Being a van they have big doors at the side and back, meaning you can get more of a view and let the fresh air in. They are generally easy to drive and park and are ‘Tardislike’ inside – you won’t believe how much can be squeezed in. LARGE A motorhome is usually built on a van chassis, but the living space is purpose-built so it’s wider, taller and has more space for storage and facilities. On the downside, they only have a narrow single door in the living space so there’s more of a definition between inside and outside. CARAVAN Caravans are inexpensive because there’s no motor but of course you’ll need a tow bar on your car, which you might not be so keen to do if you are just trying the experience for the first time. Driving and manoeuvring them takes a bit of practice too. WHERE TO STAY During the day you can stop in many open car

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parks near beaches and in forested areas. Wild camping – where you just park up and stay overnight – isn’t encouraged even if you have your own toilet facilities. Rather you should aim for one of these options: The Caravan and Motorhome Club has an extensive network of club sites, see www.caravanclub.co.uk. The smaller Camping and Caravanning Club offers a good selection of sites. See www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk. Britstop (britstop.com) is a guide you have to buy (£31.60) and it lists stays at farm shops, country pubs, vineyards and many other interesting venues. However, many are likely to still be closed this summer. WHAT TO DO IN THE EVENING? As it’s likely to be a while before public venues are fully open, entertainment on your new holiday theme will resonate: • ‘Vanlifer’ Jenelle Eliana has built up a huge following on YouTube. She lives full-time in her van with a pet snake! • Book: How to Live in a Van and Travel. • Into the Wild is a moving film based on a true story of a young man who attempted to live independently in the wilds of Alaska. • Back on YouTube, watching van reviews and people doing self-build conversions may inspire you to make motorhoming a permanent fixture in your life.

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

Have a gently sloping beach at one edge to allow hedgehogs, birds and other non-aquatic creatures to drink and bathe, and get out easily if they fall in.

A pond is a great long-term addition to a garden but plan it before you start digging! Where to put a pond? Keep clear of deciduous trees; their leaves clog up the pond and cause methane gas to be released as they rot, which can be lethal to fish and pond wildlife. Conversely, extremely sunny, hot spots will increase the likelihood of pond algae problems.

Build in some ‘shelves’ at the sides, wide enough to hold pots or pond baskets to allow for aquatics and marginals (bog-loving plants) needing shallower water. A pond should be filled with rain water, but mains water can be used if allowed to stand for a week or so before adding plants or fish.

Choose a level site to minimise the amount of soil that needs to be shifted to create it. How to choose a liner There are three main types of pond liner: a pre-formed rigid liner (mid-price but shapes are limited); plastic available by the metre (cheap but may only last three or four years); and butyl (costly, but lasts around 30 years, and allows and any size and shape you require). What shape? Create a simple shape to use less butyl liner and underlay, and make it easier to install. Always use underlay as this dramatically reduces the risk of leaks due to liner damage. Either buy it or use old carpet underlay for flexible liners, while plenty of sand works well for rigid liners. What size? A larger pond is generally easier to maintain and should be at least 45cm (18in) deep to minimise algae and to maximise the range of plants you can grow. Adjust the pond levels at the edges before laying edging material. Edges must fit snugly in the hole to reduce the chances of damage – pack dry sand or garden soil into any gaps. Large, rounded stones at the pond edge help animals to climb out and help disguise liner edges, plus reduce the amount of soil accidentally entering the pond.

What to plant? Buy healthy and hardy pond and marginal plants that are able to withstand winter temperatures. Check the depth of water they require and how big they’ll grow. Make it safe Make sure that you explain the potential dangers of ponds to children, and consider waiting a year or so if they are too small to understand. Avoid steep, straight sides and have a graduated exit so it’s easy to get out of should someone or something fall in. Consider fitting a strong galvanised metal mesh over the entire surface. It must be strong enough to bear a child’s weight, with a small mesh size that small feet cannot go through. A small fence around the pond can be clothed with climbers or painted, and can be removed once children are older.

Visit Pippa’s website (www.pippagreenwood.com) to book Pippa for a gardening talk at your gardening club or as an after-dinner speaker.

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

Avoiding Food Waste We’ve never had it so good with the continuous year-round availability of fresh food. But it is so wasteful throwing food away just because it’s not supermarket fresh. So what can you use past its sell-by date and how?

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For a friendly, reliable service at a competitive rate call Vegetables: any veg good for roasting – peppers, courgettes, potatoes (including sweet potatoes), onions – don’t have to be crispy-fresh to still be edible. Roasted veg are excellent to go with a barbecue or as a colourful accompaniment to many meals. And do an internet search for roasted vegetable lasagne; better than the meat version. Fruit: lockdown made overripe bananas very popular for home-baking. But most summer fruits combined with apple or orange juice and liquidized make excellent smoothies and puddings and pies are fine with fruit that is past its best. Bread: family favourite bread-and-butter pudding is better with slightly stale bread than fresh. Toast your leftover French stick and then chop into croutons to add to a salad. Crisps and cake: 20-30 seconds in the microwave will remove the moisture that turned your crisps soggy or your cake dry. Leftover dinners: one-pot meals such as chilli, lasagne, curry, casserole often have some left in the pot when all have had their fill. A home vacuum packer means individual portions are kept fresh for a few days longer and don’t get freezer burn if you decide to store for a later time.

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Why not add some sensational silvery plants to your garden?

If you are partial to aromatic plants then there are several, such as the cotton lavender and the curry plant, that have both a pungent aroma and striking silvery foliage. They look gorgeous and need not take up much space. Hostas are herbaceous perennials suited to shady and somewhat damp spots. Their large, showy leaves come in a range of colours including some smart, silvery blues. Pair them with the somewhat silvery and densely hairy Alchemilla mollis for a great ground cover display. Lavenders are a good ingredient for any garden where silver foliage can play a part. They smell gorgeous and have a naturally relaxing quality for most people. Bees adore the flowers too. There are several silver-foliaged plants with a naturally trailing or cascading effect, such as Helichrysum petiolare with its long trailing stems edged with small, rounded leaves, each so densely covered with hairs that they are like silver coins. Ideal for hanging baskets, they create a waterfall effect within weeks of planting. For a year-round effect grow a variegated ivy, perhaps Hedera helix ‘Glacier’ with silvery-white edged grey-green leaves. Many of the small Artemisias have elegant silvery foliage, not least Artemisia ‘Powys Castle’, whose finely divided foliage looks like silver filigree lace. They are best grown in a fairly sheltered, sunny spot and will provide a fabulous display for many years. Sometimes that touch of silver comes in the form of seed heads. Those of the lovely purple or white flowered alpines called Pulsatilla are a

delight, with a wispy silver plume on each seed. Some clematis have fluffy seed heads, with the silvery furry seed heads of the wild clematis aptly called old man’s beard. For shrubs, take a look at the Cotinus – most have wonderful autumn colour and the seed heads explain its common name of smoke bush! Many plants appear silvery due to a dense matt of short hairs on the leaves, some of which will become studded with water droplets after rain or a heavy dew. In a tiny space, for example a small window box, grow some silver with the houseleek Sempervivum arachnoideum with its evergreen, fleshy rosette of red-tipped leaves covered with a web of silvery white hairs. Many silvery foliaged plants have Mediterranean origins, where their dense hairs and pale colour help them withstand dry or hot conditions, making them ideal for a sunny and dry spot. Conversely, use a few silvery foliaged plants in a slightly shaded spot, ideally combined with some plants with large, pale-coloured flowers, and see how they make a dull spot look brighter. Combine silver foliage plants with some with very dark-coloured leaves or rich blue or purple hues for a magical effect, as the rich dark colours are brought to life with the sparkle of the silvery foliage. Plant silver foliage close to, say, Cotinus ‘Royal Purple’ with darkest purple leaves, and you’ll see what I mean.

Visit Pippa’s website (www.pippagreenwood.com) to book Pippa for a gardening talk at your gardening club or as an after-dinner speaker.

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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By Katherine Sorrell

There’s a world of window fashion available for homes these days, so why not consider a few different options? Your windows are a noticeable element of your home’s exterior. Inside they are the sources of natural light that frame your view and provide security and cosy, quiet, draught-free rooms. For most houses double-glazed windows are the norm, though some homes have triple glazing for better energy efficiency. These windows are sealed units comprising two or three sheets of low-emissivity glass, which reflects heat back into the home but allows light through from outside. Between the glass layers is either air or an inert gas, and the frames are uPVC (plastic), wood, metal or a mixture of materials (composite). Nowadays even standard uPVC windows are available in a range of colours and textures. Graham Lindsay, managing director of Weru UK, which manufactures a range of high quality, hightech, triple-glazed windows and doors, has seen a rapid decline in the demand for plain white. Anthracite Grey is a very popular colour and more bespoke unusual shades, edging towards beige greys, have appeared recently. Standard uPVC windows are seeing competition from metal-framed and composite windows, says Lindsay. Not only can the latter be powder coated in more than 5,000 different shades, but their inherent strength and stability makes them ideal for contemporary homes requiring very large panes of glass. Aluminium products are driving the growth along with hybrid solutions that deliver superb quality and unrivalled thermal and acoustic properties. Weru’s hybrid AFINOé This stylish new-build tec, a combination of house was fitted with PVC and steel that is 25% minimal aluminium-framed sliding doors and windows lighter and allows for a by IQ Glass: 01494 722 30% larger aperture than 880; iqglassuk.com.

PVCu, is suitable for bespoke, architecturally designed builds with large glass areas. Suit your choice of window to your property style, and, while metal and hybrid frames are perfect for contemporary homes, caution is advised in coastal areas, warns Lindsay, as a coastal location will offer more risk of metal corrosion. If you own a period home, windows must be sympathetic. Slate grey, along with Farrow & Ball-type colours, would be deemed popular with planning and conservation departments. In listed buildings, windows have to be made in timber and replicate the original look. Other window choices include timber on the inside with no-maintenance aluminium on the outside, the currently highly fashionable steelframed (or Crittall-style) window, and even double- or triple-glazed windows incorporating Venetian or pleated blinds between the panes of glass, known as ‘integrated’ or ‘interstitial’ blinds. Often used in offices and other commercial settings, integrated blinds provide a sleek look. ç Sliding sash windows are essential for the look of a heritage property. These examples are made from uPVC, reinforced with galvanised steel, and available in a range of styles, shapes and colours. Britannia Windows: 0117 971 6067; britanniawindows.co.uk.

é These new-build homes feature Afino-tec windows, French doors and wide-span patio doors, finished in anthracite grey, by Weru: 01253 341 444; weru.uk.

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conversions&and extensions • Loft Installation maintenance • Marcus Rewires & Sarah Baines • Security lighting 020 8390 7549 • Fire alarms 07702 603 885 • berrylands-property@blueyonder.co.uk Central heating wiring

• • • • •

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Stuart Leverett Office: 020 8390 0617 WWW .CHECKATRADE .COM/BERRYLANDSPROPERTYMAINTENANCE Mobile: 07710 123 628 No obligation quotations. References available. Email: contact@leverettelectrical.co.uk All work guaranteed and fully insured.

QP advert 1 020 8274 0096 To advertise call Karen:

Installation & maintenance Rewires Security lighting Fire alarms Central heating wiring

Stuart Leverett Office: 020 8390 0617 Mobile: 07710 123 628 Email:contact@leverettelectrical.co.uk email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk 17 QP advert 2

A new look for your windows By Katherine Sorrell

Window treatments can complement a room’s architecture, disguise a poor view, link the inside to the outside and add texture, colour and pattern.

ç Stained glass designs printed onto film are easily attached to any type of window. Period stained glass effect design, made to your size, £65 per square metre, purlfrost.com. é A series of roller blinds is sleek and minimal. Made to measure roller blinds, from £35.94, englishblinds.co.uk.

A conservatory feels fully decorated with patterned Roman blinds. Blinds in Frond Fennel fabric from the Observatory Collection, from £67 per metre, i-liv.co.uk. è

This motorised blackout blind can be controlled by remote, app or smart home. Custom-made standard roller blind in Regal Natural, £136.13, 247blinds.co.uk.

18 To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

Curtains, blinds, shutters and more • Curtains can be made in a range of styles. Its heading determines how a curtain hangs, usually via a tape sewn onto the curtain back that is pulled to form pleats, gathers or other shapes. • Tap-tops, tie-tops, deep hems and eyelets slide onto a curtain pole and are often found on readymade curtains. • Roller blinds are practical in bathrooms, kitchens, conservatories and children’s rooms, while Roman blinds suit many room types. Venetian (slatted) blinds are available in natural wood or eyecatching colours. • Shutters provide privacy and security and block out sound and light. Shaker-style shutters are ideal for a Georgian or Victorian home. American shutters, with tilting louvres for letting in the light, work virtually anywhere. • Window film is an inexpensive option for a variety of situations – for example, the window of an overlooked room can be covered in opaque or patterned film that still allows light in.

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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d pa ny Lt Painting andmDecorating ber Crossword iBathrooms Fitted and Refurbished Local builders withandover 30 years experience. iCarpentry Plumbing Plastering and Tiling Local builders with over 30 years experience. iFlat Packs and Small Jobs Conversions * All types of Paving

Many local customers with excellent references, Household Maintenance and Repairs Marcus &by Sarah Baines viewings appointment Many local customers with excellent references, 020 8390 7549 7) Bathrooms Fitted and Refurbished viewings by appointment 603a885 7) Check out 07702 our Check Trade ratings. ders with over 30 years experience. Carpentry and Plumbing Check out our Check a Trade ratings. period Packs and Small Jobs Flat 71 Chiltern Drive ,Surbiton, Surrey, KT5 8LR berrylands-property@blueyonder.co.uk

customers excellent references, Tel: with 020 6276 Mob: 07941 374 324 Tel: 8399 020 8399 6276 Mob: 07941 374 324 WWW.CHECKATRADE.COM/BERRYLANDSPROPERTYMAINTENANCE

71 Chiltern Drive ,Surbiton, Surrey, 8LR Tel: 020 8399 6276 No KT5 obligation quotations. References available. All work guaranteed and fully insured. Em: bbuildco.@yahoo.co.uk

Marcus &by Sarah Check out ourBaines new website: www.berrylandsbuilders.co.uk viewings appointment Em: bbuildco.@yahoo.co.uk 020 8390 7549 603a885 out 07702 our Check Trade ratings. HIDATO berrylands-property@blueyonder.co.uk

Mob: 07941 374

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.

Remember, you can pick up a copy W.CHECKATRADE .COM,Surbiton, /BERRYLANDSPROPERTYMAINTENANCE iltern Drive Surrey, KT5of 8LR A Berrylands Companion magazine at Mob: 07941 374 324 theReferences following: available. No obligation quotations. All work guaranteed and fully insured. Em: bbuildco.@yahoo.co.uk C.D.Jennings, B&M Budget Store, Surbiton & Tolworth Libraries, Shan’s Pharmacy, Tolworth Recreation Centre, The Lamb, MBE Surbiton,

Read it whilst you wait at: Aspen Vets, Berrylands Autocare Garage, Confidental Dentist Surgery, Collinsons Opticians, proof 3 Dec 10-HP.indd If you would like copies at your business please call me on: 020 8274 0096

11/24/2

©Puzzlepress.co.uk

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Light up your Dining Table By Katherine Sorrell

Light up mealtimes with the style statement of a great-looking dining room pendant.

With four bulb holders, this large, industrial-style pendant is a good choice for a rectangular dining table or a breakfast bar. Large metal quad pendant, £250, Cox & Cox. è

For a relaxed, boho-chic effect, whitepainted wooden beads form scallops and swags. Wooden beads waterfall pendant light, £350, The French Bedroom Company. ê

Smoky glass with a lustre finish gives a warm, welcoming glow. Noreen pendant in smoke lustre, £805, Arteriors. è

How to illuminate your dining table • Plan lighting by considering how many people eat and how often, table size, other lighting, overall style and budget. Provide lighting to eat by without harsh and uncomfortable glare, with a complementary fitting. Adding a dimmer switch provides flexibility. • Consider proportion – don’t overpower a small table with a huge light and ensure that light reaches the diners at the far ends of a large table. Clusters or lines of light work well with large tables, either as multiple single lights or as a fitting incorporating two or more light sources. • How much light will the fitting give the room, and how much will shine onto the table? An opaque shade will concentrate its glow below wherever it is fixed but won’t provide much general light, while a glass shade will illuminate the room more generally. Choose the right bulb to create the exact level of brightness you wish – perhaps a decorative bulb if it is on show. • Avoid the fitting hanging so high that it appears to be clinging to the ceiling, and so low that diners can’t see each other across the table. Experiment with various heights, viewed from both standing and sitting.

For a handmade and traditional style, consider the lovely patina of hammered brass. Trio of Kielder pendant light in antique brass, £110, Garden Trading. ê

é With an Art Deco feel, this elegant pendant features a luxe brass-finish frame and a row of four glass globe shades. Four globe light and brass pendant, £345, Cox & Cox. ç With four bulb holders, this large, industrialstyle pendant is a good choice for a rectangular dining table or a breakfast bar. Large metal quad pendant, £250, Cox & Cox.

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

William Stallion

150 Elmbridge Avenue, Surbiton, Surrey, KT5 9HF

*Alterations & Additions *New Installations *Maintenance *Rewires *Testing & Inspection EICR/PIR *NIC/EIC Registered,insured,certiďŹ ed

Tel: 07828 796 702

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DOMESTIC INSTALLER

APPROVED CONTRACTOR

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Ask most adults in the UK how much water they should be drinking and you’d be told “eight glasses a day.” But it’s a myth, believed to be a misinterpretation of some advice given in the 1940s. How can it be true when we are all different sizes, some of us are active and some are sedentary, and the weather may be sweltering or freezing? Like sleepiness and hunger pangs, thirst is your body’s way of indicating it needs something and really not something to be afraid of. IT’S THAT EASY? Yes and no. As we age, the thirst mechanism deteriorates so we can’t rely on that as our only indicator. Furthermore, when you are engrossed in some sedentary activity – watching TV, surfing the net – you may not be conscious that you haven’t had anything to drink for a while. I NEED A CLUE. Dizziness or a headache may be a sign, but more reliable is the colour of your urine. If you realise it has been many hours since you last passed water and when you do go your pee is dark yellow, you are dehydrated. I PREFER A ROUTINE. A good start is to always take a glass of water to bed with you. This is your early morning reminder to start hydrating. During the rest of the day, if you can barely remember where you put your car keys, keeping track in your head is a strategy designed to fail. As a minimum, a written log by the fridge will help, but using one of the widely available hydration apps is a great discipline and makes it fun too. JUST PLAIN WATER THEN? Again, another urban myth is that only pure water counts and that simply isn’t true.

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

If you don’t feel you are awake until you’ve had your first cuppa that’s not a bad thing. Despite being slightly diuretic, tea and coffee are both sources of fluid. Your water intake doesn’t have to come from ‘water’. That is, fruit and vegetables, soups, milk and soft drinks all have a high percentage of fluid in them. MY WATER TASTES LIKE A SWIMMING POOL. Tap water really is fine to drink, but in many hard water areas a slight aroma and taste of chlorine will be enough to put you off, and that in itself will reduce your intake. Of course you can buy it in bottles. Better for the planet and the wallet are water filters and there’s a huge choice and plenty of articles online comparing the options. One innovative idea comes from a Scottish company called Phox (www.phoxwater.com). Their jug features a refillable cartridge that is designed to last the life of the jug, not just thirty days. The water filtration granules expire after forty-five days, when you’ll simply open the filter, clean it out and pour in the new refill pack. CHEERS! TOP ME UP. Indeed, but a final word of warning. It’s just as important not to overdo it. Overhydration, known as hyponatremia, can be lethal.

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

Please mention the magazine when contacting Advertisers C Pages 17-24.indd 23

23 12/06/2020 00:09:56

CODEWORD

Puzzle Page

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

Word Ladder

Change one letter at a time (but not the position of any letter) to make a new word - and move from the word at the top of the ladder to the word at the bottom, using the exact number of rungs provided.

F O U R

WORDWHEEL

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

TARGET Excellent: 30 or more words Good: 24 words Fair: 19 words

S ÂŠPuzzlepress.co.uk

F I V E

R T

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Summer is a great time for you to be out with your dog, making the most of the sunny weather, but it’s also a time to take extra care. The sun can take its toll on dogs in various ways, so here are three tips to help you protect your four-legged friend and make sure they stay fit and healthy this summer. Check the ground they’re walking on We’ve all experienced how quickly hot sand can burn our feet when we’re on holiday and it’s the same for dogs, both on the beach and on the pavements. To check that it’s safe for them to walk on, put your hand flat on the ground for five seconds – if it’s too hot for you, then it’s definitely too hot for your dog’s paws. Use sunscreen Dogs with thin coats can easily get sunburnt, particularly around their face, nose and ears. Don’t let them stay in the sun for too long and apply sunscreen to those vulnerable areas, especially after they’ve been swimming.

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

Keep their head inside the car When your dog leans out of the car window there’s a risk of serious injury. This could be from debris flying up from the road or other vehicles passing too close, so make sure they’re properly restrained with a seatbelt through their harness. Although probably not your typical summer health advice, these tips will help to protect your beloved pet from severe discomfort or serious injury. www.vets4pets.com/pet-health-advice/dog-advice/summer-tips-for-dogs/ www.pdsa.org.uk/taking-care-of-your-pet/looking-after-your-pet/all-pets/pet-care-in-summer

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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By Kate Duggan

Keeping kids entertained is difficult at the best of times. But having already endured weeks in lockdown and a return to complete freedom looking to be some way off, it’s a challenge to keep your little ones occupied and to tear older children away from a screen. These ideas might help though!

Take the indoors out What does your child enjoy doing that could be done outdoors? Could you make cookie dough at the garden table rather than the kitchen table? Is there any reason a board game can’t be played on a picnic rug? Could you set crafts up on a plastic sheet? (On the plus side, it saves your carpet getting covered in paint, glitter and chocolate.) Play to their interests Younger children often like ticking off a list of things to spot when they’re out, or collecting petals, leaves and pebbles for a craft activity. If your child is an animal lover, could you go on a bug hunt? If they enjoy solving puzzles, could you go geocaching or set up a treasure hunt? Active kids might enjoy a simple obstacle course in the garden or throwing balls to knock down tin cans. Shake things up Most of us like a bit of variety in life. Even moving a swing to a different part of the garden or trying some different games can help to reignite a child’s interest. On a more practical level, a reorganisation of their bedroom or a shared space can be exciting for them.

Play games My eight-year-old loathes going for a walk. With a passion. And he doesn’t hesitate to let us know just how boring he finds it. So our family walks tend to be less about walking and more about playing games on the move. His favourite is a game where we adults challenge the kids to impersonate an animal. When he was younger, it was a case of “Can you hop like a kangaroo?” “Can you slither like a snake?” Now it’s evolved into “Can you charge like a short-sighted rhino?” “Can you soar like an eagle with a broken wing?” We also play hide and seek and other games. Build it into a routine If you have the option, it might be worth setting a family rule that you all have to spend a certain amount of time outside every day, even if it’s just bouncing round the garden. Don’t be afraid of bribery I’m not suggesting you pay your child to get active, but there’s nothing wrong with promising an ice lolly or half an hour of screen time after a bike ride now and then.

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Berrylands Autocare * MOT Testing (while you wait) * Diagnostic Testing * Servicing & Mechanical Repairs * Open until 5.30pm weekdays * Saturdays: 9.00am to 1.00pm

250 yards from main line Berrylands Station Providing a service for our local community

167 Surbiton Hill Park, Surbiton, Surrey, KT5 8EJ

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info@berrylandsautocare.co.uk www.berrylandsautocare.co.uk

Wordsearch Disney L S T P R I N C E S S E R

P L U T O A A R I E L D S

M I C K E Y M O U S E U T

T P E D O N A L D D U C K

H E R C U L E S M A M H P

U T N H R M A U U L E E I

M E W Y H R B W F A R S G

P R S C A M P O A D L S L

E P I F J R Y I S D I B E

R A I A L I C E A I N A T

I N F O E T O L L N B M A

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

A A T U G E N I E U N B N

R O B I N H O O D U D I D

Abu Aladdin Alice Ariel Bambi Donald Duck Duchess Dumbo Genie Hercules Jafar Merlin Mickey Mouse Mufasa Peter Pan Piglet Pluto Princess Robin Hood Sarafina Scamp Thumper

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

Lockdowns may be largely lifted but we’re going back to a very different world at work and at school: many more of us are working from home at least some of the time, and school pupils and college students are getting used to doing more online learning. That can be a challenge, because when most of us bought the things we have in our homes we weren’t thinking about using them for work – so for example dining tables may be great for chatting with family or friends, but they’re not ideal for long periods on a laptop.

If your Wi-Fi is slow, the culprit is probably the router: if it’s an older one or came with your broadband service, it probably isn’t the fastest. TP-Link Archer C50 Router, £32.99, Amazon Office chairs don’t need to look like office chairs: this chair from IKEA comes in an attractive and easy-toclean white, so it doesn’t make your room look like a meeting room. JÄRVFJÄLLET chair, £150, IKEA

If you or others in your household are going to be spending longer periods working, especially on computers, comfort isn’t just nice: it’s essential. Spending too much time with poor posture or awkward working spaces can be bad for your health, as it increases the risk of physical stresses and strains. In some cases that can lead to painful repetitive strain injuries. The good news is that you don’t need to do much to make your working or studying environment safe. It’s all about right angles: when you sit, your back should be straight, your feet flat on the ground (or on a footrest) and your body at right angles, so your forearms and your thighs should be horizontal and your back, upper arms and calves vertical. If you can afford it, invest in a good quality chair with back support and a decently padded or sprung base – your back and bum will thank you for it in the long term – and if you get one with wheels, invest in a floor protector too. Wheels can do serious damage to carpets and laminate flooring.

No space? No problem. An unobtrusive corner desk gives you space to work without taking up too much room in your room. Loft Living Corner Office Desk, £100, Argos

A powerful laptop with a clear, large screen is essential. Techradar calls the 14-inch Acer Swift 3 “the best budget laptop in the world.” Acer Swift 3, £533, Amazon UK

30 To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

When the days start to shorten you’ll need a good quality light to illuminate your work area. The Anglepoise is a design classic and these days it uses energy-saving LED bulbs. Anglepoise Type 75, £175, John Lewis

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

By Jackie Brewster

“Grandma, come quick!” Polly shouted from the top of the garden. “There’s a man in a cream suit stuck in the Wendy house.” “Just what I need!” Dorothy tutted, wiping her hands on a tea towel. She might have known it was a bad idea to enter the Open Gardens competition. Today had been exhausting. After weeks of weeding, watering and second guessing her planting scheme, she’d fixed a polite smile on her face and served cream teas on the. She’d not seen hide nor hair of the competition judge, which was very rude considering all the effort she’d put in. Just when she thought she’d the last visitor had gone and she was preparing her large gin and tonic, there was a squatter in her Wendy house. She tucked her tea-towel in her pinny and strode up the garden. The Wendy house was a dilapidated wooden construction. Anyone over ten years of age would bump their head on the ceiling. Polly used to play tea parties at the little table in there with her teddies, but now the Wendy house was abandoned, home to only the creepy crawlies. As Dorothy reached it she was greeted with the unpleasant sight of a large backside. There really was a man in a cream suit stuck in her Wendy house. He

had his rear to her, crouched in a very undignified position. “Excuse me, sir.” She assumed a matronly tone. “You’ll have to come out. The open garden is now closed.” “I’d like to.” His voice was strained. “But I’m afraid I can’t move.” “Why did you go in there in the first place?” Dorothy asked impatiently. “It’s only designed for children.” “I thought it was where you came to get a cream tea,” his muffled voice wailed, “but then I couldn’t turn around. “I want to back out but my knees have gone to sleep.” Polly stifled her laughter. “Sir,” Dorothy summoned the last reserves of her patience, “just bend over and crawl out backwards.” “But I’ll ruin my trousers,” the man complained. “Do you want to live in my Wendy house?” Dorothy snapped. The man sighed. They watched as he awkwardly

felt his way to the muddy and leaf-strewn floor. The poor man crawled slowly on his hands and knees through the cobwebs, squeezing his bottom back through the doorway. Eventually he was far enough out for Dorothy to catch him under his armpits and haul him to his feet. His suit was ruined. “Thank you very much,” he said. “I feel like a proper fool.” “What on earth made you go in there?” Dorothy said. “She told me that’s where the cream tea was.” The man pointed at Polly. “Only for a joke. I said it to loads of people.” Polly shrugged. “Nobody else believed me.” “I’ve left my clipboard in there,” the man said. “Would you mind getting it for me?” “What on earth did you bring a clipboard for?” Dorothy asked. “To write up my observations.” He brushed himself down. “I’m the Open Gardens judge.”

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By Mel Holbrook

For those of us accustomed to the rat race, lockdown offered a very different way of life. And after several weeks trapped at home, many of us got used to seeing a different version of ourselves. With no workplace to attend, no one to visit and nowhere to go except the local park, it made sense to dress casually and ditch our usual make-up routines. According to a recent report commissioned by the British Beauty Council, we spend over £3 billion a year on cosmetics. Depending on whether you buy low-priced items or top-of-the range brands, you could save between tens and hundreds of pounds by cutting down on the amount of make-up you regularly buy. However, if the thought of going cold turkey from cosmetics makes you nervous, there are a number of tricks and techniques you can use. Save our Skins Fake tans are a great way to even out your skin tone without foundation. If your complexion is less than perfect due to age spots, roughness, redness or hyperpigmentation, you could try out the Obagi Nu-Derm product range. There are four steps included in the treatment: cleansing and toning, exfoliation, a prescriptiononly cream to stimulate collagen production and finally a sun shield to prevent further damage. Hair raising stories At the height of Covid-19 restrictions, posts on ‘lockdown hair’ were everywhere. Many will have realised however, that with longer hair, you can get away with next to no blow-drying, and just adopt an informal up-do.

If you have a real issue with root growth, products such as L’Oreal’s Magic Retouch can cover your parting line and keep the grey at bay between hairdresser visits. Brows and lashes to dye for If you are tired of clogged, lumpy lashes and would secretly love to ditch your mascara, an eyelash tinting kit may be the answer. If you’re not sure how to apply dye to your eyelashes, you’ll find several really useful ‘how to’ videos on YouTube. Alternatively – and current social distancing rules permitting – you could check whether your local beauty salon offers tinting services or microblading (the practice of tattooing hair blades onto your brow area to make your eyebrows look thicker and more shapely). Back to nature Summer is the ideal season to perfect the natural look, so use this time to reveal the new you, with glowing skin, dark lashes, perfectly groomed eyebrows and just a touch of lip salve to complete the picture. Of course, going au naturel doesn’t mean zero effort when it comes to your appearance. In order to stay looking and feeling healthy it will be essential to cleanse and moisturise your skin and keep your hair conditioned and neatly cut. But apart from that, you’ll be surprised at how much time and money you can save. What’s more you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that your look – although it may have required a little help to achieve – is pretty much just as nature intended.

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Mini Cryptic Crossword

Across 3. Rose who walks for pleasure? (7) 7. Corn that sounds like a labyrinth (5) 8. Body region from a bad omen (7) 9. Bush colour (5) 10. Form of transport with two points for the apprentice (7) 12. Sticks to twisted headers (7) 16. Planet soil (5) 17. Dragon I formed into a type of knot (7) 19. Change undone later (5) 20. Are lent around without end (7) Down 1. Emil’s changing grin (5) 2. Little William is such a goat! (5) 3. Trace or form of nuclear plant (7) 4. Crazy dame went back without a point (3) 5. Fruit grown from a melon (5) 6. Siren moved around clean (5) 11. Learns with a London football club (7) 12. Fish at a slant? (5)

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These mini fish cakes can be served as a starter or as part of a summer buffet. Alternatively, serve with new potatoes and salad for a tasty family supper.

Makes 12 Ready in 40 mins, plus chilling Ingredients • 2 x 170g cans skinless and boneless pink salmon, drained • 400g fresh mashed potato • 200g sweetcorn, canned or frozen • 2 spring onions, finely chopped • Salt and freshly ground black pepper • 2 tbsp plain flour • 2 medium eggs, beaten • Vegetable oil for shallow frying To serve: • Soured cream and smoked salmon

Method 1. Place the salmon and mashed potato in a large bowl and mix together with a fork. Add the sweetcorn and spring onions, season well with salt and freshly ground black pepper and thoroughly mix again. 2. Divide and shape the mixture into about 12 small round patties. Place on a tray lined with baking paper. Cover with cling film and chill in the fridge for 1 hour. 3. Dust each patty with flour then dip into the beaten egg to lightly coat. Shallow fry the patties (in 2-3 batches) in hot oil for 2-3 mins on each side until golden brown. Drain on kitchen paper. 4. Serve warm topped with small dollops of soured cream and slices of smoked salmon.

TIP For a crispier finish, coat the egg-dipped fishcakes in fresh white or brown breadcrumbs before frying.

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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 for over 50 Years We will now be open 9am to 2pm Tues - Sat. Strict social distancing will be in place. Only 1 person in the C.D Jennings & Sons shop at a time. We will still be delivering to those who need us. Valentine’s Day Specials See you soon.

Call on020 020 8399 Call ususon 83994870 4870

Steaks T-bone, Fillet, Sirloin, Rib Eye, Rump, Centre Cut, Onglet, Flat Iron, Flank Skirt, Hanger All of our beef is dry aged for 21 days at our shop and comes from the finest farms in Scotland

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

A light sponge base topped with a creamy vanilla filling, peaches and tangy jelly – this is an easy-to-make summer dessert the whole family will love.

Serves 8 Ready in 1 hour, plus cooling and setting time

Ingredients For the sponge base: • 75g caster sugar • 3 large eggs • 75g plain flour For the topping: • 135g pack pineapple or lemon jelly • 200g full-fat soft cheese • 1 tsp vanilla extract • 25g caster sugar • 150ml double cream, softly whipped • 2 x 411g cans peach halves, drained

Method 1. Preheat the oven to 190C/fan 170C/gas mark 5. Grease a 23cm round sandwich tin and line with baking paper. 2. To make the sponge base, place the sugar and eggs in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Using an electric handheld mixer, whisk for 3-4 mins until the mixture is pale and thick – it should leave a trail on the surface when the whisk is lifted. Remove the bowl from the heat. Sift over the flour and fold in with a metal spoon. 3. Turn the mixture into the prepared tin and bake for 12-14 mins until risen, golden and springy to the touch. Cool in the tin for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack and leave to cool completely. Grease a 23cm round springform cake tin and line the base and sides with baking paper. Gently press the sponge into the base of the tin. 4. To make the topping, make up the jelly following the pack instructions and leave in a cool place until cold and beginning to thicken and set. 5. Beat the soft cheese in a bowl with the vanilla extract and sugar until smooth. Fold in the whipped cream and spread evenly over the sponge base. Arrange the peach halves over the creamy layer then gently pour over the jelly. Chill in the fridge for 3-4 hrs until set. To serve, remove from the tin and slice.

TIP You can use any canned or fresh fruit you like in place of the peaches. Strawberries, apricots, plums or raspberries will all work well.

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During the lockdown, with so little choice of things to do, it may well be that a walk round the block became part of your daily routine. That should have reminded you of the physical and mental benefits of fresh air and moving around. But as lockdown eases, if you find you have reverted to form and even the very word ‘exercise’ makes you want to retreat to the sofa to binge watch Netflix, we hear you! It really doesn’t have to be a chore though. Any type of exercise is useful, as long as it suits you and you do enough of it. It should be something you enjoy or it will be hard to find the motivation to do it regularly. As the saying goes: necessity is the mother of invention and the last couple of months have been amazing for introducing exercise that doesn’t involve being in a gym. From martial arts in the garden, online yoga and cycling to just that brisk walk round the block. Exercise to boost your mood Aerobic exercises, where your heart rate is elevated, have been shown to help depression. They reduce your levels of cortisol (AKA the ‘stress hormone’). You could try jogging (using the Couch to 5K app to keep yourself motivated), a virtual exercise class or just dancing in your kitchen. Exercise to ease anxiety Yoga and pilates can have a direct impact on your nervous system, helping to calm it down and ease anxiety. Some studies have shown that yoga can also be beneficial for tackling depression, alleviating stress and even reducing pain and blood pressure.

Exercise in nature According to a study by the University of Exeter, spending two hours a week in nature is good for both your mental and physical wellbeing. This could mean your local park, a field or even doing an outdoor circuits session in your garden. Virtual exercise classes Joe Wicks runs weekday PE classes at 9am on his YouTube channel and you don’t need to have children to take part. If the family classes are too energetic, try some of his other workouts, such as the ones aimed at seniors. Don’t fancy PE? You’ll find dance, martial arts and more online. The dance troupe Diversity teaches regular classes on www.20dv.co.uk. And you can take part in Oti Mabuse’s free dance classes on her YouTube channel whenever you want. Exercising with a health condition If you’re worried that exercise might make an existing health condition worse, do speak to your GP. Finally the NHS offers more than 20 instructorled workouts at www.nhs.uk/conditions/nhsfitness-studio, starting from just 10 minutes long. There’s even a 30 minute workout using your sofa! Keep motivated Make a note of how you feel before and after your workout. Try rating your anxiety and mood out of 10 and see whether the workout has had a positive effect.

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Whether you want to live vicariously or plan your 2021 holiday, add these travel-inspired books to your wish-list… The Beach – Alex Garland The Beach tells the tale of backpacker Richard, who sets out to find a fabled Thai island. What he finds at first seems like a slice of paradise, but as he soon discovers, the community who call the island home will stop at nothing to protect their secret. This is not a light-hearted holiday read, but its characters, story line and plot turns will stay with you for a long time.

Lonely Planet’s Where To Go When – Sarah Baxter and Paul Bloomingfield If you’re looking ahead to 2021, but can’t decide where to head to on holiday, this comprehensive guide to 360 destinations might help. It lists some of the best places to travel to for every month of the year.

National Geographic’s Journeys of a Lifetime – various writers From epic train journeys to boat trips, cycle tours, hiking trails and adrenalinepacked adventures, this book has them all. It’s packed with stunning images of far-flung destinations, commentary from National Geographic’s travel writers, and maps, practical advice, insider tips and much more.

Microadventures: Local Discoveries, Great Escapes – Alastair Humphreys If, like many of us, your finances are looking rather lean at the moment, why not plan a microadventure? As the writer explains, a microadventure is “close to home, cheap, simple, short and 100% guaranteed to refresh your life.” You’ll find plenty of inspiration in this book, from easy day outs to more challenging trips that will push you out of your comfort zone.

The Summer Villa – Melissa Hill Looking for a feel-good story about friendship, romance and following your dreams? You’ve found it. Kim, Colette and Annie reunite several years after they first met on holiday. They’re together to celebrate Kim’s achievement at transforming the crumbling Italian villa where they first met. But as the story unfolds, it’s clear that all of the women are hiding secrets that could change everything.

Ainsley’s Mediterranean Cookbook – Ainsley Harriott Bring a taste of the Mediterranean to your own home with Ainsley Harriott’s latest cookery book. The companion to his recent ITV series, it includes a wide range of recipes from Spain, Sardinia, Morocco, Corsica and Jordan. You could soon be enjoying aromatic fish pilaf; courgette, lemon and pecorino spaghetti; garlic and chilli prawns; or Middle-Eastern spiced beef pitta pockets.

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What’s happened to our love of antiques? By Kate McLelland

If you’re a fan of daytime television you can’t fail to have noticed the vast array of programmes themed around buying, selling and refurbishing antiques. There’s Bargain Hunt, Antiques Road Trip, David Dickinson’s Real Deal and The Repair Shop, to name but a few. These shows, mainly developed for an older audience, compete to help us identify, value and care for antiques. It’s either about the thrill of the chase (Antiques Road Trip, Bargain Hunt) or our emotional connection with items we once treasured. Programmes like Money for Nothing show the journey of an item destined for landfill as it is transformed from tip fodder to statement piece. In The Repair Shop, anxious customers hope their Grandad’s mantle clock or a childhood toy will be restored to its former glory. TV dreams versus reality Given the huge popularity of these programmes, you might expect everyone over fifty to have a home cluttered with brass candlesticks, chaise longues and oversized

mahogany wardrobes. But somewhere along the line, modern lifestyles seem to have got in the way. We may be happy to dream about buying and selling antiques, but it seems we’re unwilling to turn that dream into reality. Downsizing decisions People belonging to the Baby Boomer generation (born between 1946 and 1964) are more likely to have inherited their antique possessions. When the time comes to downsize, the first things to go are usually large pieces of family furniture that don’t transfer easily to smaller spaces. It also happens at this time that the children of the family, starting out in their own flats or smaller houses, don’t want to be burdened with family heirlooms either. The current trend for openplan living has also changed the way people furnish their homes. An open-plan design with well-designed fitted storage calls for a minimal approach, which is why individual pieces such as wardrobes or chests of drawers are no longer required. Mix, mix, mix If you’d like to bring antique pieces into a contemporary setting but aren’t sure how to do it, there’s plenty of advice to be found online. Speaking to the Elle Décor website, interior designer Benjamin Johnson says: “Mix, mix, mix. Don’t

recreate a room from the past. Create a room that speaks to today by mixing in both contemporary and vintage pieces.” Maria Haidamus of Maria Haidamus Design says: “Choosing the right antique is more alchemy than science. I think it is great to mix and match periods, shapes, forms, and colour as long as the rules of scale and proportions are respected.” In these times where recycling is encouraged and many items of antique or vintage furniture are sold at bargain basement prices, it makes sense to snap them up. Provided the pieces are in good condition they will often have many years of service left in them. So next time you switch on the TV to watch Flog It! or The Antiques Roadshow, turn that passive enjoyment into positive action. Visit your local auction room online, and search sites such as Ebay, Gumtree and Facebook marketplace. It won’t be long before you find your own ‘real deal’ to bring a little heritage to your home.

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The History of the Pandemic By Catherine Rose

Despite our increased global mobility making pandemics more likely, diseases have crossed country borders for centuries. One of the earliest pandemics, the Justinian plague, began in 500 AD, spreading from Egypt into Palestine, the Byzantine Empire and then Europe. Similar to bubonic plague, it killed twenty-six per cent of the world’s population – around five hundred million – thwarting Roman Emperor Justinian’s plans to revitalise the Roman Empire. 1347 saw the first wave of the Black Death, a pneumonic form of bubonic plague – one of the most devastating pandemics in human history. Originating in Asia, it is likely to have travelled along the Silk Route and then by ship into Europe. It is believed, as with later outbreaks, that it was spread via fleas contaminated with the yersinia pestis bacteria. The disease is estimated to have killed hundreds of millions of people worldwide and up to sixty per cent of the population in Europe. Characterised by a fever and buboes, the Black Death could kill within hours. It lasted until 1352 and had huge economic and social repercussions. Instances of bubonic plague returned over subsequent centuries. In 1665, the Great Plague of London killed twenty per cent of its population. The term ‘quarantine’ was coined in Venice referring to

a period of forty days – the optimum time necessary for the spread of an epidemic to be contained. Cities that implemented quarantines were found to be less affected by fast-transmitting diseases. Numerous cholera pandemics began in Russia in 1815. Acquired through contaminated water and food, the British Army unwittingly spread this serious bacterial illness across the British Empire and millions of people died from its rapidly fatal effects. Another outbreak occurred during the Crimean War between 1853 and 1856. Nurse Florence Nightingale became famous at this time for her tireless efforts to improve unsanitary conditions. A vaccine was created in 1885.

Smallpox, caused by the variola virus, is one of the most devastating diseases. Various outbreaks have occurred over the centuries, the earliest around 10,000 BC. During the twentieth century alone, smallpox was responsible

for up to five hundred million deaths worldwide. It was declared by WHO to be eradicated in 1980. COVOD-19 is not the first pandemic virus to have originated in animals. The Spanish flu, which struck worldwide during 1918/19, is believed to have started in birds. Although nicknamed the Spanish flu, it appeared in Kansas, America in 1918. Due to World War I, many European countries had news blackouts and initial reports came from Madrid, leading people to believe it had begun in Spain. It was able to spread rapidly in the unsanitary and confined conditions of the trenches. Unlike regular flu, it targeted healthy young people and came at a time when populations had already been decimated. This flu was particularly deadly, leading to severe bronchial pneumonia. It infected a third of the world’s population and resulted in around fifty to one hundred million deaths. Today, we are better informed about the spread of disease, our lives are more sanitary and scientists can more easily predict outcomes and implement strategies that contain it. Stay safe and well.

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By Kate McLelland

We often hear fashion journalists declare that “50 is the new 30”. These days it certainly seems that the stereotypes of old age we grew up with are no longer valid. Improvements in healthcare, better fashions for older people and increased opportunities for leisure and enjoyment have combined to keep many of us looking and feeling more youthful than our parents did. “40 is the old age of youth, 50 is the youth of old age” goes the old saying, but veteran fundraisers such as Captain Sir Thomas Moore (better known as ‘Captain Tom’) and Dabirul Choudury ably demonstrate that today’s 50-year-olds could be looking forward to half a century or more of life. Celebrities turning 50 When actor Matt Le Blanc became a quinquagenarian, he made no attempt to hide his feelings: “It sucks. There’s no way to sugarcoat it. You kind of go, wow, where does the time go? I feel like I just turned 40.” Happily, film star Julianne Moore has managed to be a little more philosophical about reaching her half century milestone birthday: “The thing about 50 is that you’ve clearly reached a point where you have more of your life behind you than ahead of you, and that’s a very different place to be in. You’re thinking, ‘I’ve done most of it.’ I don’t like that feeling. But it makes you evaluate your life and go, ‘Am I doing what I want to do? Am I spending my time the way I want?’” Shakespeare’s take on old age From the age of 50 onwards we enter what

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Shakespeare, in his famous “Seven Ages of Man” speech, has described as the fifth and sixth ages of man. As Shakespeare lived at a time when bubonic plague was rife and the average life expectancy was just 35 years, living to a ripe old age wasn’t an option for many. These days we may enjoy higher standards of hygiene and healthcare, but the arrival of Covid-19 has been a reminder that as human beings we are all still susceptible to disease. Turning 50 has a new resonance within the Covid-19 crisis, as it underlines the fact that old age is accompanied by increasing risk and vulnerability. Remarkable recoveries Antibiotics have conquered bubonic plague, and in the same way coronavirus will almost certainly be defeated, either by a vaccine, an effective track-and-trace system or a combination of both. Meanwhile there have been some remarkable recoveries from Covid-19, including 106-yearold great-grandmother Connie Titchen from Birmingham, who successfully fought off coronavirus. Connie Titchen’s granddaughter Alex Jones told Sky News that her grandmother had led a “really active life,” with hobbies that included dancing, cycling and playing golf. After avoiding two world wars and the Spanish Flu outbreak of 1918, Connie is a triumphant survivor. So whatever you may feel about turning 50, it seems the answer is not to fear what might happen, but to take care of ourselves and enjoy each day as it comes.

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B U N C E BACK! BOUNCE BACK to BUSINESS with A Berrylands Companion! Is your business opening again in August or September? Or have you stayed open all through lockdown? Let everyone know you're BACK and ready for BUSINESS! Call or email A Berrylands Companion now, to book your September 2020 advertising. Copy date 8th August. karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk Reasons to advertise with us: - We deliver over 13,000 magazines door-to-door over 2 months, to Berrylands and Surbiton one month, then Berrylands and Tolworth the next month. -The magazine is available at various pick up points as well - We ensure our magazines are delivered regularly and on time by local deliverers - The magazine is published online too, each month at ISSUU.com - The Companion advertising is great value for money - Discount packages are available for regular advertisers and block bookings - We promote local companies to local people through adverts and leaflet distribution - We have a locial media presence on Facebook - Our magazines are read through from cover to cover and kept for reference. - We feature interesting articles, features, reviews, What's On listings and puzzles 8th August is the copy deadline for our September 2020 issue. Contact Karen NOW to see how we can help you ... karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk 020 8274 0096 / 07908 787 927 Facebook A Berrylands Companion

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Tomatoes FOOD FACTS:

Tomatoes originate from the Andes in South America, where they grow wild in what is now Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Ecuador. They were first cultivated by the Aztecs and Incas as early as 700 AD. Tomatoes are more nutritious when cooked and even better for you if cooked with a bit of oil, as that helps the nutrients to be absorbed. The heaviest tomato ever grown weighed 3.51 kg – about the same as the average newborn baby. Tomatoes can keep longer if you store them with their stem down. British tomato production accounts for half of our consumption in the summer, but just twenty per cent in the winter.

The best apps for outdoor activities

Best weather app: Dark Sky (Apple) It’s just been bought by Apple so unfortunately Android users can’t rely on it much longer (try Carrot or Accuweather instead), but on iPhones and iPads Dark Sky is the weather app to beat thanks to its accurate one-hour forecasting and weekahead views. Don’t plan a trip without it.

Premium tomatoes, such as tomatoes on the vine, are driving growth in the market. Vine tomatoes now account for around two-thirds of the UK’s tomato production area.

Oranges are not a naturally occurring fruit. Rather they hybrid of two citrus fruit: a pomelo and a mandarin, with 25% of its genome coming from the pomelo and 75% from the mandarin. Surprisingly the word orange, referring to the colour, comes from the fruit first not the other way round. Before the fruit, the colour was referred to as geoluhread, which literally translates to “yellow-red”. There are just two words in the English language with which orange rhymes. There’s a mountain in Wales called Blorenge and spores are made in a sac known as a sporange. Try including that in your next poetry session. Orange peel is a natural deodoriser. Put the rind anywhere with a stale or musty smell and the odour will disperse in a couple of hours.

Best traffic app: Waze Navigation & Live Traffic (Apple, Android) Waze is a brilliant app for drivers: it uses information from all its users to develop a really accurate real-time picture of what’s happening on the roads to help you avoid accidents, roadworks and other causes of congestion. It even helps you find the cheapest petrol stations.

Best exercise app: Strava (Apple, Android, fitness trackers) Strava’s traffic tripled during the lockdown, with good reason: it’s a superb app for any kind of outdoor exercise on foot or on wheels. In addition to accurate GPS tracking and health monitoring it enables you to track your progress and compete in leader boards with friends or with complete strangers.

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Dream Big! Heroes Who Dared to Be Bold – Sally Morgan Dream Big! comprises a hundred bite-size biographies, each accompanied by an illustration. My ten-year old and I have both enjoyed learning more about some well-known names (e.g. David Attenborough and Maya Angelou) and discovering other inspirational people neither of us had heard of. As well as being a great read, it’s opened up conversations about racism, sexism, LGBTQ+ rights and having the courage to stand up for what’s right. Highly recommended.

The Sin Eater – Megan Campisi 14 year old May Owens expects to be sentenced to death for stealing a loaf of bread. But her sentence is much worse. She’s to become a Sin Eater – responsible for taking on the sins of others so that their soul is cleansed. The role means she’s to be forever shunned. So when she discovers someone is trying to blame dead women for sins they didn’t commit, no one will listen. Intriguing setting, believable characters and a great story. Pre-order it now for delivery at the end of July. The Sleeper and the Spindle – Neil Gaiman and Chris Riddle This beautifully illustrated book takes the story of Sleeping Beauty and adds a dollop of darkness and a few ‘what ifs’. What if the sleeping sickness spread? What if there was a queen with hair as dark as a raven’s wing, lips as red as blood and several dwarves by her side, who could set out on a quest to rescue the princess? Yes, The Sleeper and the Spindle is aimed at young adults and takes under an hour to read, but don’t let that stop you from adding it to your wish list. The Great British Sewing Bee: Sustainable Style Caroline Akselson and Alexandra Bruce The companion book to the latest series of the popular BBC programme, The Great British Sewing Bee: Sustainable Style invites readers to upcycle and repair existing clothes, and make new ones using sustainable, natural fabrics. There are twenty-seven projects to choose from and plenty of advice for beginners. Vegan(ish) – Jack Monroe Whether you’re 100% vegan or just want to eat more plant-based meals, Jack Monroe’s latest cook book could well become your go-to resource. There are a hundred recipes altogether, from simple soups and sandwiches to more complicated dishes such as Beet Wellington and Ultimate Moussaka. As you’d expect from the queen of budget meals, recipes are carefully costed out so they won’t break the bank.

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GREEN TIPS:

Commuter Cycling

U.K. transport secretary Grant Shapps announced a £2 billion plan in May to boost cycling.

M o b i l e b i c yc l e S e r v i c e & r e pa i r

Yo u r H o m e | Yo u r W o r k | Yo u r r i d e

rebelwaltz-cyclesolutions.co.uk • I can pick up your bike from your home or place of work then return to you at your convenience. • From a safety check, new build to a full service, all work and repairs will be quoted prior to commencing. • Will contact you immediately if any other defects are spotted so there will be no unpleasant surprises. • Free pick up and drop off within a five mile radius of Surbiton. Contact: Jon Martin jon@rebelwaltz-cyclesolutions.co.uk | 07514 435855

Clearly, the ongoing need for social distancing is part of this drive, but cleaner air, better health and less time wasted in traffic are of great benefit to us all and the environment. Here are a couple of ideas which might make you seriously consider a bike as your commuter vehicle of choice. An electric bike looks like a normal bike, and can use cycle paths, but when you come to a hill, the motor kicks in an gives you an extra push. You still have to peddle, but it’ll save that extra exertion that has you arriving at work red-faced and sweaty. Tubeless (puncture-proof) tyres will transform your cycling. These have a special sealant inside which sets on exposure to air. Should you pick up a puncture – that’s a hole not a gash – the escaping air forces the liquid to the surface and seals the hole. Nine times out of ten you won’t even be aware of it. You might be one of the lucky few who has showers at work. If you don’t, slow down for the last five minutes of your ride so that you are already cool when you stop. Get insured! That’s your bike against theft, you against injury, and pedestrians and car owners against you having a mishap on your journey.

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RAD G N E 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.

3 letters: 15 4 letters: 19 5 letters: 5 6 letters: 2

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Brits: we don’t mean what we say By Kate McLelland

When a member of the online global community Reddit asked the question “Non-British people of Reddit, what about Britain baffles you?” they received almost 40,000 comments in response. Here are five things about British culture that particularly puzzle non-Brits: 1. Sarcasm The British are famous for their sarcastic turn of phrase and a recent YouGov poll asked a group of Brits and a group of Americans to interpret the meaning of various well-known expressions and phrases. While most members of the British group took the expression “with the greatest respect” to have pretty much the opposite meaning, more than half of the American group took it at face value. One Reddit member, shocked at the way her British boyfriend spoke to his family members, wailed: “They’re so rude to each other. FOR FUN.” 2. British nosh Food is also an area that causes misunderstanding and controversy. Watching The Great British Bake Off, American Britt Rivera was shocked to find that a Yorkshire pudding wasn’t actually a pudding, tweeting “Yorkshire pudding is a little bread bowl, not a yogurt-like dessert?”

and journalist Jessica Pan describes how she sensed growing resentment amongst her English colleagues after regularly refusing their offers of tea: “I might as well have said ‘I do not want to be part of your society’ or ‘Your tea is gross and so are you.’ That’s because in Britain, I soon learned, rejecting a cup of tea is like rejecting a gesture of friendship.” 5. Our many names The many different names we use to describe our island nation has also caused a good deal of confusion, with some overseas observers unsure whether to call us Great Britain, the British Isles, the British Islands, the United Kingdom or just plain old Britain. To confuse things even further, the UK’s official name is the ‘United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland’. During our long and colourful history, British people have absorbed the best bits from several different cultures, so perhaps it’s not surprising that such a melting pot of habits and customs continues to cause bewilderment. It’s clear that our culture is seen by others as eccentric, weird, confusing – even a tad annoying – but it’s equally clear that we Brits have no intention of changing our ways for anyone.

With the exception of Australia and New Zealand, Britain is one of very few places where Marmite is actually enjoyed. Reddit users have conducted their own opinion poll on the famous spread, with one Slovenian contributor commenting: “I remember my first experience with Marmite was so terrible. Someone brought that thing to our house and I tried it with a spoon ... so disgusting!!” 3. UK accents According to the British Library, we have almost eighty different accents and dialects in the British Isles, so perhaps it’s not surprising that this was another frustration for overseas Reddit users. “So many accents. People fifteen minutes away having another accent,” one moaned. 4. Our love of tea Responding to Reddit’s “What about Britain baffles you?” challenge, another user stormed “Your obsession with tea!” Writing for The Week magazine, American author

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ALAN SURSHAM (MOTOR VEHICLE TECHNICIAN)

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Do You Do A

POST-PARK CHECK?

Contacting the car park office they told me “Yes, we’ve seen it on the CCTV. The owner left the handbrake off and it’s rolled backwards” A simple flick of a switch would have engaged the parking brake, so either the driver had forgotten or the system had malfunctioned. But this prompts me to ask: “Do you do a ‘postpark’ check on your car?” Ensuring the hand/parking brake is on is a must, especially when parked on a hill. The Highway Code gives the guidelines for all hill-parking, so it is well worth revising. Is the interior light off? Modern cars will turn this off automatically, but things can fail and coming back to a dead battery is very inconvenient.

Rounding the corner of a multi-storey car park, I Rounding the corner a multi-storey park, I was presented with theofsight of a BMW car 1 Series presented themiddle sight of BMW Series atwas a crazy angle,with in the of a the lane,1with at rear a crazy angle, in the middle of the lane, like with its it’s crashed into a parked car. It looked rear crashed a parkedan car. It looked like the the owner hadinto abandoned attempt to reverse owner had abandoned an attempt to reverse into into a space. a space.

Please mention the magazine Contacting the car park office they told me “Yes, we’ve seen it on the CCTV. The owner left the

Are valuables stored away out of sight? Car thefts have dropped as security features improve, but thefts from cars are just as common. Finally, is it locked? Using the key fob to lock the car as you walk away without checking it, is not recommended. A quick test of the door handles is all it takes to make sure.

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Serves 4 Ready in 30 minutes, plus chilling

Ingredients • Few saffron strands • 1 tsp rose water • 500g tub Greek yogurt • 25g icing sugar • 2 cardamom pods, seeds removed and finely ground • 25g flaked almonds, toasted and chopped • 50g unsalted pistachios, finely chopped • 100g pomegranate seeds • 25g cashew nut halves

Take a pot of authentic thick Greek yogurt and flavour it with saffron, cardamom and rose water, then top with nuts and pomegranate seeds for a refreshingly different summer dessert. Method 1. Place the saffron strands in a small heatproof bowl and add 1 tbsp boiling water. Leave to soak for 10 minutes. Stir in the rose water. 2. Place the yogurt in a bowl and fold in the saffron and rose water liquid, icing sugar and ground cardamom seeds. Cover and chill in the fridge for 1-2 hours (or overnight). 3. Stir in the almonds then divide the yogurt between four small serving bowls. Top with the pistachios, pomegranate seeds and cashew nut halves and serve immediately. TIP Use a pestle and mortar to finely grind the cardamom seeds or replace with ground mixed spice for a sweeter spiced flavour.

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Paella

Makes 4 Ready in 1 hour

Ingredients • 1 tbsp virgin olive oil • 225g chorizo, diced • 1 large onion, chopped • 275g paella rice • Few strands saffron • 1.1l fish or chicken stock • Salt and freshly ground black pepper • 1 red pepper, deseeded and chopped • 100g frozen peas • 2 tsp paprika • 250g cooked peeled prawns, thawed if frozen • Few fresh mussels, scrubbed

Enjoy the flavours of Spain with this classic rice dish. It makes a great one-pan supper served with crusty bread and a green salad.

Method 1. Heat the oil in a large deep frying pan over a medium heat. Add the chorizo to the pan and fry for 3-4 minutes. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon and set aside. 2. Fry the onion in the pan juices for 5 minutes then stir in the rice and saffron and cook while stirring for 1 minute. Pour in the stock, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring frequently. 3. Return the chorizo sausage to the pan and add the pepper, peas, paprika and prawns. Simmer gently for a further 10 minutes until the rice is nearly tender and all the liquid has been absorbed, stirring occasionally. Top with the mussels and cover and cook for a further 4-5 minutes until the mussels open (discard any that do not open). Adjust the seasoning to taste then serve from the pan. TIP To make a vegetarian version omit the chorizo, prawns and mussels and replace with a selection of vegetables of your choice, such as celery, green beans, chopped tomatoes and courgette. Use vegetable stock and fry a couple of crushed garlic cloves with the onion to give extra flavour.

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By Kate Duggan

Staying at home doesn’t mean you can’t splash out on some new skincare goodies… Bring a touch of the exotic to your staycation, with Elemis Frangipani Monoi Body Oil (£40). It absorbs almost instantly, and leaves skin feeling softer and moisturised, without any greasy residue. And the exotic floral fragrance lasts for ages. For the best results, use it on slightly damp skin straight after a bath or shower. I also use love the fact that it’s multipurpose. People swear by it for treating split ends, brittle nails and rhino heels. The only downside is that it tends to solidify at room temperature, so during the cooler months you have to melt it by warming the bottle in hot water. A bit of a faff, but worth it, see www.elemis.com.

There’s no denying that disposable face wipes are handy. But they’re also terrible for the environment. If you’re looking for a more sustainable alternative, I highly recommend Ogato’s Face Eraze cleansing pads. For £19.99, you get three makeup remover pads and two cloths, plus a headband and wash bag. The best bit? They’re designed to remove make-up without cleanser. All you need is warm water. And they really do work, even on waterproof mascara. Rinse them clean after use and then just bung them in the washing machine now and then, and they should last you for years. Find them at www.amazon.co.uk. I have pretty sensitive skin, so tend to steer clear of facial fake tans. However, I decided to risk trying Bali Body’s Face Tan Water (£25.95) and have to say that I’m impressed. It’s a face treatment and self-tan in one, with ingredients

such as rosewater and hydrating jojoba oil. It’s easy to apply and results in a natural, even-looking tan. If you want a lighter tan, just mix a few drops in with your moisturiser. I also tried the Gradual Tan (£21.95) on my body. Great colour, but less ‘gradual’ than I was expecting, so if you try it make sure you’re rather more careful around knees, elbows and ankles than I was… See uk.balibodyco.com. Dr Carl Thornfeldt developed severe eczema as a child. The experience led to a thirty-five year career in dermatology, and the launch of skincare brand Epionce (www.epionce. co.uk). One of the brand’s newest products is the Renewal Calming Cream. At £61 it’s rather pricey, but it has been proven to soothe and calm eczema flare-ups and reduce itching. So if you have eczema or extremely dry skin, that hefty price tag might well be worth it.

You don’t need to go on holiday to take advantage of travel skincare collections. As long as you’re likely to use everything in the set, they usually offer great value for money. The Sanctuary Spa Ultimate Travel Selection is hard to beat. There’s a 250ml body wash, 75ml bubble bath, 50ml body butter and a salt scrub sachet. Plus, you get a new bag to keep it all in. Not bad for £17, see www.very.co.uk.

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Finally, after fourteen years waiting patiently by his master’s grave, Greyfriars Bobby fell ill from cancer of the jaw. He died in 1872 but tourists continued to visit the graveyard where Bobby had waited. A novel (‘Greyfriars Bobby’ by Eleanor Atkinson, was published in 1912) and two films, ‘Greyfriars Bobby’ (1961) and ‘The Adventures of Greyfriars Bobby’ (2006), were released. By Kate McLelland

In Edinburgh’s Candlemaker Row, there stands a drinking fountain topped by a statue of a small dog. The inscription underneath reads: “A tribute to the affectionate fidelity of Greyfriars Bobby. In 1858, this faithful dog followed the remains of his master to Greyfriars Churchyard and lingered near the spot until his death in 1872.” How the legend began Greyfriars Bobby was a Skye terrier who reputedly spent fourteen years guarding the grave of his owner. Bobby’s master was John Gray, a night watchman employed by Edinburgh City Police. Legend has it that Gray adopted Bobby the Skye terrier to keep him company on the long, dark nights he spent patrolling the city. However, after several years walking the chilly streets of Edinburgh by night, the nightwatchman’s health began to suffer and he died of tuberculosis on 15th February 1858. It wasn’t long before local people passing through Greyfriars Kirkyard noticed that John Gray’s dog appeared to have taken up residence beside his master’s grave, refusing to leave even in the worst of weather. The graveyard keeper tried to shoo Bobby away on a number of occasions, but the dog would always return. In the end the keeper gave up and created a small shelter, with a bed made of sacking, next to the grave.

Shaggy dog story? The story of Greyfriars Bobby is a wonderful tale of canine loyalty and dedication, but like all good stories it has probably been embellished during the telling and re-telling. Dr Jay Bondeson, a historian and senior lecturer at Cardiff University, believes that the story was largely fabricated by the graveyard keeper James Brown, who received money from tourists eager to donate towards Bobby’s food. Dr Bondeson also believes that the original dog died in 1867 and was replaced by another Skye terrier. Whatever the truth behind the legend may be, the story is typical of many accounts of animals that faithfully wait for their human owners, including a recent report of a loyal dog that waited in the lobby of China’s Taikang Hospital for over three months after his elderly owner died from Covid-19. The tale of Greyfriars Bobby has warmed the hearts of visitors to Edinburgh for over 150 years and will no doubt continue to do so for many years to come.

Friends and supporters In 1867 a new by-law was passed, requiring all dogs in the city to be licenced. As Bobby had no master to buy his licence Sir William Chambers, the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, stepped in to pay for one. William Dow – a former friend of John Gray – would occasionally treat Bobby to a meal at a local coffee house where the two used to meet. At other times Bobby’s meals were provided by a man called James Brown, who looked after the cemetery.

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