MARCH 2020 ISSUU 146 by Karen

Month: March 2020 Issue No: 146 Independent monthly community news and business directory for KT5 & KT6

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

D NEEO F A RO

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U I N G. C O.

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Hello Readers,

t does look like Spring is month. actually making an effort to take over!! The occasional That’s also the time to remember to put the clocks forward for the start daffodil is coming through. of British Summer Time, so don’t We have a few new advertisers forget! this month, but like many, they are worried whether readers are So here’s hopeing that it means the going to use them. Please do try to weather becomes more summery! check them out and see if they are providing a service you need. Best wishes, March sees us celebrate St Karen David’s Day and St Patrick’s Day as well as Pancake Day. We also have the opportunity to thank Mums, Mothers, Grandmothers on Mothers’ Day at the end of the

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

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

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

0800 111 999 0800 783 8866 0845 920 0800 0800 800 151 0845 142 0000 0800 555 111 020 8546 7711 0800 1111 116 123 0800 00 99 66 020 8549 3318 020 8547 3202 020 8721 2518

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

Books to get you talking

Looking for a novel for your book club? Or just a book to discuss over dinner with friends or family? Take your pick… The Binding – Bridget Collins In Emmett Farmer’s world, it’s possible to forget the pain of your past. All you have to do is tell your story to a binder, who’ll lock it away in a book. But as apprentice-binder Emmett soon discovers, not all stories are meant to be forgotten. A highly original book that deftly combines fantasy, historical fiction and romance into one captivating tale.

The Green Roasting Tin: Vegan and Vegetarian One Dish Dinners – Rukmini Iyer If you’ve been inspired to eat more meat-free meals, but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen, this is a useful reference book to have on hand. It’s gained numerous positive reviews in the last two years, and for good reason. Each of the seventy-five recipes is designed to make cooking healthy, tasty meals as easy as possible. In most cases, each dish takes just ten minutes to prepare. Recipes include ‘Miso Aubergines with Tofu, Sesame & Chilli’ and ‘Squash & Gorgonzola Tart with Figs & Pecans’.

Grandmothers – Salley Vickers Three different women find their paths crossing. Wealthy Blanche has developed a compulsion for shoplifting after being banned from seeing her grandchildren. Poet Nan is planning her funeral and isn’t afraid to speak her mind, but she has a blind spot when it comes to her grandson. And then finally there’s shy Minna, who’s in danger of losing the only person she really cares about. A beautiful, quiet book that looks at family life in all its complexities.

Big Sister, Little Sister, Red Sister – Jung Chang While it’s a bit heavy going in parts, Big Sister, Little Sister, Red Sister is a fascinating insight into three of the most powerful women in Chinese history. Ching-ling, wife of Sun Yat-sen, became Mao’s vicechair. It placed her in direct opposition to her two sisters – May-ling (Madame Chiang Kaishek), who was the first lady of Nationalist China, and Ei-ling, Chiang’s unofficial main adviser and one of China’s wealthiest citizens.

Our Planet: The One Place We Call Home – Matt Whyman and Richard Jones This children’s companion to last year’s Netflix hit is sure to prove popular with young nature buffs. Stunning photography and illustrations accompany short, easily digestible paragraphs of text. Our Planet educates and inspires in equal measure. As Sir David Attenborough says, ‘You will be among the next characters who can, if they wish, tell the most extraordinary story of all – how human beings in the twenty-first century came to their senses and started to protect Planet Earth.’

The Book of Echoes – Rosanna Amaka A young black man struggles to come to terms with a devastating tragedy in 1980s England. Meanwhile, a girl in Nigeria tries to build a better life for herself against the odds. As the pair resist following the paths laid out for them, they’re watched over by the ghost of a murdered woman. A gripping, thoughtprovoking debut novel.

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a baby carrier is a good investment. It’ll make getting out to the park, shops, library and so on a lot easier. Look for one that offers good support to your baby and your back, and is easy to get on and off. The Izmi baby carrier (£80) ticks all the boxes. It’s a buckle carrier but as comfortable as a fabric sling, suitable for newborns through to walking, and (crucially) machinewashable.

Introducing a new baby to the family

Getting ready to welcome a new arrival and wondering how to prepare your children? These tips should help.

Before the birth You might want to wait until after the first (or even second) scan to tell your children about the pregnancy. It won’t be long before they spot your growing bump or overhear a conversation and want to know more. There are some excellent picture books available to help prepare young children for the arrival of a sibling. My daughter’s favourites included ‘Too Small for Honey Cake’ by Gillian Lobel and Sebastien Braun, and ‘There’s a House Inside my Mummy’ by Giles Andreae and Vanessa Cabban. Be prepared to answer endless questions, and try to help your children understand what changes they can expect. As the due date gets closer, you might want to talk about where the baby will be born, where the baby will sleep, why you

might be too tired to play, and so on.

After the birth As you already know, the first few days of having a newborn can be emotionally and physically exhausting. Toddlers tend to be naturally quite demanding and haven’t exactly mastered empathy. They may well struggle with sharing your time. Try to focus on quality time, rather than quantity. Fifteen minutes spent playing a game together will often earn you half an hour of peace while they play on their own. Snuggling on the sofa to watch a film as a family with popcorn and hot chocolate can feel like a real treat (and they hopefully won’t mind if you doze off for a bit). Double buggies are usually incredibly cumbersome, so

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It’s worth having a few small presents on hand for your children when friends and family arrive with gifts for the baby. “Ooh look, the baby got a present – that means you get a go in our lucky dip” will help to stop jealous tantrums in their tracks. Maybe pick up a few picture books (ten for £10 from The Book People), novelty pencils and a few small teddies from the charity shop. Young children often like to feel that they’re helping out, so try to involve them where you can. There will be times you just want to get on and do a task quickly, but other times children could ‘help’ to make the bed or sort the washing. Even a simple “This milk feels the right temperature to me, what do you think?” will help cement the ‘we’re all in this together’ feeling. Just don’t ask too much of your children or blame the baby every time you can’t do something. No point encouraging sibling rivalry before the baby can at least answer back.

By Kate Duggan

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

Inspiring boys to learn Encouraging boys to develop Empowering boys to succeed

Book your visit at www.surbitonhigh.com/admissions Part of the Surbiton High School family | Tel: 020 8439 1309 | Part of United Learning

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access to the funds, you can get more from your money by locking in a fixed rate. Fixed rate savings accounts and ISAs are typically available from one to five years, and the longer your money is tied up the higher the rate you’ll get.

Stepping stone investing and other ways to get more from your money If you don’t have much money left for saving or investing once your essential bills have been paid, it’s important to make sure you get the most out of your money and make good use of compound interest. The stepping stone method can bring huge rewards even if you only have small amounts to invest each month, but there’s a whole range of other financial products and strategies you could also use to seriously improve your financial situation over time.

Saving and investing using the stepping stone method The stepping stone method involves increasing the amount you save or invest by 10% each year. Whether you start off with £100 or £10, exponentially you could achieve a considerable increase in your return with minimal effect on your monthly finances. If you’re reluctant to invest, finding a good savings account

or current account that pays credit interest can reap serious rewards, even for smaller amounts. This is what makes the stepping stone method so accessible, and one of the best ways to get the most from your money.

If you do decide to invest, be aware that investments can go down as well as up and past performance is no guarantee of future growth, so you’d need to take professional advice before going ahead.

Current accounts for credit interest If you pay a regular sum into your current account, such as your wages, you may be entitled to credit interest on your balance. Some current accounts offer higher rates of interest than savings accounts, but you’ll need to meet each bank’s eligibility criteria. Consider locking in a fixed rate If you’re sure you won’t need

Move your money around It doesn’t pay to be loyal to companies these days as the best deals are typically offered to new customers. From the banks’ perspective, a higher interest rate does attract new business but, again, these offers are often time-limited. Tracker accounts Tracker accounts track the Bank of England base rate and offer a specific percentage figure above this rate for a defined period of time. They help to ensure you benefit from any interest rate rises, as some financial institutions are slow to pass these on to their customers.

What about a monthly saver? Regular savings accounts can be a good way to maximise your savings. You gain access to a higher interest rate for a fixed timescale, but there are limits on how much you can put away each month.

Finding the right financial products takes a little time and effort but the rewards can be high as compound interest takes effect. Whether you try the stepping stone method or take advantage of specific deals, making the most of your money offers financial stability and peace of mind for the future. By Ann Haldon

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British Summer Time starts, so remember to TURN clocks FORWARD one hour before you go to bed, on Saturday 29th March

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Top Tips for Verruca Treatment Gruesome, miserable, nasty, painful – common words used when people describe their verruca. A verruca is a wart which is growing on your foot – officially termed a ‘plantar wart’ – and it’s caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). The HPV virus lives happily for long periods on damp floors, such as those around swimming pools or communal showers. The virus enters the skin and then travels into the deeper layers. It causes keratinisation – keratin is the hard protein in hair, skin and nails – which is why warts feel hard to the touch. Although 80% of verrucas regress spontaneously over two years, they can be persistent and resist treatment. The virus is adept at escaping detection by your body’s immune system. Diagnosis A verruca is a single, slightly raised patch anywhere on the sole of the foot. The skin may be pale, yellowy/skin-coloured or have a cobblestoned appearance, sometimes with some central black dots. Verrucas are sometimes painful when pressure is applied, for example when you walk or if you squeeze them between finger and thumb.

Management without treatment The first step is to take good care of your foot/feet so that you minimise pain and avoid spreading the virus, both on your own feet and to others. The British Association of Dermatologists has a useful guide available at tiny.cc/ foot-care. If you’re generally healthy and not in pain, it’s worth doing nothing as most veruccas will disappear spontaneously. However, you should seek medical help if you have diabetes or a weakened immune system e.g. HIV infection, chemotherapy, radiotherapy etc. Active treatments If you decide that your verucca can’t just be left to recover by itself, there are forty-one recognised wart treatments. First Choice Treatment: Salicylic Acid (SA) SA kills off the outer skin layers, causing them to peel away. It also helps the immune system detect the virus. SA has proven to be more effective for veruccas than a placebo (dummy) treatment (Cochrane Review 2012) e.g. in one study, 49% of verrucas had disappeared after treatment with SA compared to 23% using a placebo.

Second Choice Treatments These are not routinely offered on the NHS. • Cryotherapy: a liquid nitrogen spray freezes and destroys infected skin cells. Clearance rates of around 65% are reported. It’s sometimes painful, and there’s also a 30% chance of recurrence. The Cochrane 2012 review concluded that cryotherapy was no better than SA at treating verrucas, was painful, and caused blistering and scarring. • Other local options: many other agents have been used such as silver nitrate, Cantharidin, phenol, glycolic acid, pyruvic acid and trichloroacetic acid (TCA). • Surgical removal: surgery is not usually advised because verrucas often recur afterwards. • SWIFT is a new microwave treatment for the verruca. It’s quick, relatively painless and seems to be effective on stubborn verrucas. See www. treatwithswift.com. • Laser therapy aims to destroy the blood vessels supplying the verruca, plus the heat causes local tissue damage. 80% clearance rates have been reported. • Immunotherapy: various treatments claim to stimulate the antibody response to speed up viral destruction. Where to Obtain Verruca Treatments From 1st April 2019, the NHS has listed verrucas as one of the seventeen treatments it will no longer provide, so these are the options other than your GP. • Visit your local Community Pharmacy • Find a Podiatrist: cop.org.uk/ find-a-podiatrist • Find a Chiropodist: iocp.org.uk • Private Consultant Dermatologist: www.bupa. co.uk/health/payg/dermatology References available on request

By Dr Daisy Mae

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Ember Choral sings J S Bach’s

St Matthew Passion in English

Saturday 28 March 2020 7.00pm St Andrew’s Church Surbiton

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PROOF CitBy

Accra Amsterdam Ankara Athens Beirut Belgrade Berlin Bern Bogota Cairo Hanoi Kabul Lima Macau

Moscow Muscat Nicosia Oslo Ottawa Paris Riyadh Rome Seoul Tehran Tokyo Tunis Victoria Warsaw

Find the names of cities in the grid and the remaining letters will spell out a related phrase

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bottled water taste. A company called Phox have recently released what they claim is ‘The World’s Most Eco-Friendly Water Filter’, which uses refillable filters. A sparkling water maker such as a Sodastream, whilst not eco-neutral, is still better and cheaper over time than all those plastic shrink-wrapped fizzy water multipacks.

Don’t Be Water Wasteful When you’ve been through a British winter, it’s sometimes difficult to appreciate the need to save water. However, cutting your consumption will bring both environmental and financial benefits.

PLASTIC IS NOT FANTASTIC Let’s be realistic about this. Not everywhere has pleasant-tasting tap water and saying it tastes the same as bottled water simply isn’t true. But those plastic bottles have to go. A water filter jug goes a long way to achieving a

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CONSERVATION IS WORTH IT Water has to be processed before it arrives at your house and cutting back on energy is something we all know we should do. Besides, most of us have water meters these days so you are paying for every last drop. Surprisingly a dishwasher is better than washing by hand provided you don’t put it on until it’s full. But don’t pre-wash your dishes – it’s not necessary. Don’t run a tap unless you are actually using it at that moment – this includes shaving and brushing your teeth. Even with a shower, give it the shortest time possible to warm up before jumping in. And if your taps or cisterns are dripping, you are literally throwing money down the drain.

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growing.

You can grow cucumbers from seed, but the seeds are generally extremely pricey and not the easiest to germinate, so speed things up with a couple of chunky plants instead. For growing in the garden choose ‘ridge’ cucumbers, as these perform better outside.

Easy Veg Growing

This is a perfect time to get to grips with some ‘Grow Your Own’ and make growing your own vegetables easier than you might think! Start by deciding on what you’d like to eat, picked fresh from your garden over the coming year. Think salads, herbs and classic main meal vegetables because there is still time to grow just about anything you please.

Some vegetables are best grown from seed – the classics are carrots; with those long, fleshy roots they simply hate being transplanted, so grab a packet of seed and as soon as the soil is not too wet sow a row or two. You can always choose interestingly coloured varieties such as ‘Purple Haze’ or ‘Purple Dragon’ if you want to ring the changes or persuade a less-than-eager family member to give carrots another chance. Salad leaves cost a fortune when sold in packets and are

often none too fresh, so sow a few rows or pots of these too and within a few weeks they’ll be growing strongly enough for you to harvest your first delicious meal. If you make small sowings every two weeks or so you can ensure a pretty well continuous supply of salad throughout the summer and well into autumn. If you’ve got a warm, sunny spot in your garden, or, better still, a greenhouse or frame, then it’s definitely worth getting some tomatoes. These too can be raised from seed but if you’re only after a few plants, and especially if you’d like to have a few different varieties, then it’s often better value (and a lot easier) to buy yourself some small gardenready plants. Make sure you get the right sort for the accommodation you’ve got to offer – catalogues or labels should clearly state if they’re for ‘greenhouse’ or ‘outdoor’

If time is short then vegetable plants are a great choice for most crops. You can send off for them now and then you’ve no need to do time-consuming potting on and pricking out. Get them in quantities to suit the size of your plot, and if they come in quantities too large for the space you have available, then share a pack or two with friends and save some cash too! Check what size of plant you’re buying if you choose mail order and go for gardenready sizes if possible – that way you’ll be able to plant them out straight away, or at most grow them on in pots for a couple of weeks.

If you send off for vegetable plants make sure you unwrap them the moment they arrive; left in the packaging they’ll soon deteriorate. If you can’t plant them straight away, do so as soon as possible, but water the compost if necessary and pot each root ball into some compost after removing the packaging. At this time of year there is often a lot of rain and wet weather so the soil is really wet. Try covering the soil

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with a polythene sheet or a polythene covered pull-out tunnel for a couple of weeks before your plants are due to arrive, then remove it just before planting out. Similarly, if you are sowing your vegetables from seed then the soil may be too wet for the seed to germinate and they may rot instead. By covering the area where you want to sow, you keep off excessive rain and allow the soil to warm up a little beforehand. When small plants arrive or if you buy them from garden centres and local nurseries they can often still be a little

tender. Make sure that frosts are past before you plant the more tender crops out, and give them a chance to gradually acclimatise to their new surroundings by covering them with cloches or fleece for a few days.

If you’ve ever struggled to grow your own vegetables from seed or from plants bought in the garden centre, I’ve got a great solution: ‘Grow Your Own with Pippa Greenwood’ is perfect for anyone who needs a bit of help and advice. Visit my website www.pippagreenwood. com and you can choose

from a good selection of great quality and UK-grown gardenready vegetable plants. Once the plants have been delivered you’ll get weekly emails from me telling you just what you need to do to prepare the ground and how best to plant and look after your growing vegetables. The at-yourelbow-advice emails will be full of timely reminders, hints and tips, and will only be about the crops you have bought. This saves you time, and makes it much easier to get a good and seriously tasty crop from your plants.

By Pippa Greenwood

At Pippa’s website (www.pippagreenwood.com) you’ll find stylish cloches, practical and pretty plant supports, the fantastic SpeedHoe, gardening tools, Grower Frames, signed books and the ‘Grow Your Own with Pippa’ system. Or book Pippa for a talk at your gardening club.

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Ah, the smell of freshly-cut grass! Except you’re probably more likely to detect the aroma of engine oil and polish in this quirky museum dedicated to the lawnmower. At Lawnmower World you’ll find over 250 lawnmowers on show, ranging from the very first examples ever made to a high-tech, robot lawnmower. In a unique twist on celebrity spotting, you can get close to several VIP lawnmowers, including one given to Prince Charles and Princess Diana as a wedding present.

Britain’s strangest museums ‘Dippy’ the diplodocus – the replica plaster cast skeleton of a long-necked, long-tailed dinosaur – is currently touring the UK, having given up his traditional place as the centrepiece of the great hall at London’s Natural History Museum.

We visit museums to view those rare treasures that we could not expect to see anywhere else and Dippy is typical of the sort of high-profile exhibit the public will queue for hours to see. But not all museums can boast exhibits with Dippy’s ‘star quality’: some have built their reputation on being quirky, different and … well, perhaps even a little eccentric. Here are some British museums that are proud to offer a rather different experience to visitors.

Derwent Pencil Museum, Keswick (derwentart.com) Yes, that’s right … it’s a museum dedicated to the humble pencil. There’s a good reason for the museum’s location, as Keswick was the first area in Britain

where graphite was mined to make pencils. Visitors to the museum can enjoy a wide range of pencil-related exhibits, from a secret pencil collection dating from the Second World War to a giant eight metre long crayon which has entered the Guinness Book of Records as the longest colouring pencil in the world.

Cuckooland, Knutsford (cuckoolandmuseum.com) No, it’s not a museum full of stuffed cuckoos. The birds in question are the wooden kind, that always appear on the hour. This impressive collection of 600 cuckoo clocks was put together by brothers Roman and Maz Piekarski, who began training as clock makers in Manchester at the age of fifteen and developed a lifelong interest in the cuckoo clock. Since that time they have bought and renovated rare and notable examples from the Black Forest area of Germany, amassing a world-class collection. Lawnmower World, Southport (lawnmowerworld.co.uk)

The Museum of Witchcraft & Magic, Boscastle (museumof witchcraftandmagic.co.uk) This year this famous museum, dedicated to everything occult and supernatural, celebrates the sixtieth birthday of its premises in the sleepy Cornish village of Boscastle. Out of the 3,000 objects the museum holds, you will find the usual crystal balls, Ouija boards and broomsticks plus a wealth of unexpected items, such as amulets carried into battle by soldiers in World War One, a Hitler pincushion (promoted by Readers’ Digest magazine as a way of ‘hexing Hitler’) and even a charm for riches, made by placing three bees inside a bottle. They may not feature the likes of Tutankhamun’s golden funerary mask or Shakespeare’s signet ring, but what these little museums lack in high-status exhibits they certainly make up for in terms of enthusiasm and engagement. Let’s hope they continue to amuse, entertain and inform us for many decades to come.

By Kate McClelland

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Create great style with cushions and throws It’s ridiculously easy to disguise and uplift a tired sofa with a pretty throw and a selection of new cushions, choosing on-trend colours and patterns, complemented by a few inexpensive plains. Try varying the textures, and look for interesting trims and fastenings, too. If you are at all handy, making simple square or rectangular cushion covers really is a piece of cake. A square metre of fabric should stretch to four cushion fronts, so you could push the boat out with something quite eyecatching and extravagant.

Quick & Inexpensive Improvements Breathe new life into your home with a few quick and inexpensive changes. Dazzle with great lighting Why not upgrade a lampshade or two, or even replace some table or floor lamps? It’s quick and easy, and a great opportunity to introduce some on-trend shapes, textures and colours. Fitting a dimmer switch, another simple upgrade, adds flexibility to your lighting scheme. While you’re at it, check that your light bulbs are the right wattage – there’s nothing worse than poorly lit rooms, or ones that are so dazzling they look like a lamp shop. LED bulbs, although expensive initially, use less energy, so are both kind to the planet and will save you money in the long run. You might even consider smart lighting, which can be controlled with a remote control, an app, or a voice command. Some can use a timer to wake you up naturally, while

others will change colour in time to your music.

Ring the changes with colour Nothing says new look like a colour makeover, whether it’s a lick of paint (and you simply can’t beat the spick and span look of a freshly painted room) or just a change of accessories – perhaps a row of vases on a shelf, a pile of fluffy towels, storage canisters in the kitchen or files in your home office. When moving from winter into spring and summer, it’s nice to go lighter and brighter, considering ‘fashion’ colours if you wish, too. Pantone’s colour of the year, for example, is ‘Classic Blue’, a vibrant mid blue that co-ordinates beautifully with saffron yellow, soft pink or rich green. Add plenty of bright white for a clean, fresh update.

A fresh look for flooring If you are feeling up to some fairly strenuous DIY, a great way to completely alter the look of a room in a weekend is to take up the carpet and (providing you have decent timber underneath, of course) carefully sand back your floorboards. Finish with a couple of coats of varnish and the results will be transformative. As an alternative, adding or replacing a rug is another instant way to change the look of your floor – and consequently the entire room – as well as bringing in texture and cosiness. Choose colours and patterns that complement the overall decor, and make sure the size and proportions of the rug suit the size and shape of the room, with the furniture fitting onto the rug comfortably. Wonderful window treatments A new look at the windows makes a wonderful change. Opt for ready-made curtains for an almost instantaneous swap (and pretty inexpensive,

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too). Floor length is usually the way to go, though sometimes furniture in the way makes sill length the better option. Alternatively, swap curtains for clean-cut blinds: they are much less expensive, as they use barely any fabric, and provide an attractively modern and minimal look. Simple slatted or roller blinds can be ordered to your exact measurements and in a huge variety of colours and patterns, from barely there to bright and eye-catching. And finally, unless your nets are made from beautiful antique lace, take them down and, instead, preserve your privacy

with stick-on plastic film. It’s easy to apply, looks very classy and is much less expensive than having your windows sandblasted.

Give your pictures the professional touch It’s all too easy to put up your pictures here and there, as and when you get them framed, and end up with a mismatched lot that don’t quite gel. Instead, create a fabulous display by putting them in identical or coordinating frames and hanging them in orderly rows or well-planned groups for optimal impact.

By Katherine Sorrell

Image left: Go natural with a grass-green floor combined with blossom-like pinks and lilacs. True

Colours UNI 528 vinyl, £22.99 per square metre: Carpetright, 0330 333 3444; carpetright.co.uk.

Image above: Get organised while adding beautiful textures and a touch of fashionable style. Rush natural

storage basket, £18; wooden storage basket, £22; cream macramé basket, £12; belly basket natural, £10; all Dunelm: 0845 165 6565; dunelm.com.

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

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

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

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Tel: 020 8399 6276 Mob: 07941 374 324 Marcus &by Sarah Baines viewings appointment Check out our new website: www.berrylandsbuilders.co.uk 020 8390 7549 advertise call603 Karen: 020 8274 0096 email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk 19 k outTo07702 our Check a885 Trade ratings. berrylands-property@blueyonder.co.uk

Neat and attractive storage for cleaning products. Shelves contain laundry and utility range from Garden Trading.

It’s time to give your home a spring clean

This wood and metal combo should cope with everything from crumbs in the kitchen to mud in the hallway. Dustpan and brush set, £14, Garden Trading.

As the sun comes out, temperatures warm up and the days get longer, there’s nothing nicer than a thorough spruce up around the house, making sure that everything is squeaky clean from top to toe. Make your own cleaning products using online ‘recipes’ and pour into spray bottles. Method multipurpose cleaner, £3; Hydrea nail brush, £2; Elements glass canister medium, £8; all Dunelm.

Pull out rack for undersink area. Sonchus 80cm cabinet liner, £9, GoodHome Kitchens, at B&Q.

The twisted rattan design of this traditional rug beater is both effective and rather stylish. Rug beater, £14, Garden Trading.

Set of two jute and cotton baskets, £12; grey laundry powder tin, £10; microfibre kitchen sponges, £1.50 each; rush natural storage basket, £18; grey and bamboo dish drainer, £10; Sorbo wooden dish brush, £1; all Dunelm.

Knitted dishcloths are a great alternative to single-use kitchen towels. Set of three cloths, £13, &Living.

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This organic reed diffuser uses pure essential oils to fill your home with natural aromas. Lemanja diffuser, £40, Wearth London.

Amberglass spray bottles block out UV light, helping to preserve the products inside. Reusable bottles, £27 for three, Wearth London.

Get Fresh Inside and Out

• Start with a general clear out. Just tackle one room at a time, and get organised in advance with some boxes and bags, so that you can designate things quickly and easily as rubbish, recycling, charity shop, to sell, and so on. • Gather your tools – brooms, scrubbing brushes, buckets and cloths – and cleaning products. You could make your own natural cleaners using online ‘recipes’. To clean mirrors and windows, for example, scrunched-up newspaper and white vinegar will give them a wonderful sparkle. • Bear in mind the basic principles: work from top

to bottom (dust the light fitting before polishing the table beneath) and tackle dry before wet (vacuum before mopping). Put some music on and really throw yourself into it. • Now is a good time to sort out those less frequently required jobs such as steam-cleaning the carpets or having the chimney swept. And how about washing down your front door, shampooing your rugs and taking your duvets to the launderette? • To finish, add some glorious scent. Reed diffusers filled with essential oils or naturalwax candles make an longer lasting alternative to fresh flowers.

Est 35 YEARS

ROBINSON & SON

William Stallion

150 Elmbridge Avenue, Surbiton, Surrey, KT5 9HF

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Hair We Go

Top tech to tame your tresses and sort your stubble

There’s a quiet revolution happening in personal grooming: even the humble hairdryer has become high-tech, the most expensive example of which is Dyson’s Supersonic hairdryer. At just under £300 it’s a lot pricier than a hot hairdryer from the local supermarket, but its clever motor delivers much faster drying without extreme heat. If your time is money, it’ll save you a fortune. Dyson also makes a high-tech styler, the even more expensive Airwrap. It’s currently a whopping £399 but unlike traditional stylers it doesn’t use superhigh temperatures that can do serious damage to your hair. Designed for curling, waving, smoothing and volumizing, it uses high air pressure instead of heat. If you can’t quite stretch to a £400 styler, GHD has introduced what it calls SMART technology into its recent stylers and straighteners. It constantly analyses the temperature of the heated plate to deliver consistent, accurate heat across it, monitoring and adjusting the temperature 250 times per second to deliver the fastest possible styling without dangerous or damaging high temperatures. Expect to pay around £189. We’re seeing more cordless devices now that battery technology is better, and the DAFNI Allure claims to be the world’s first cordless straightening brush – charge it once and you can take it travelling. At £155 it’s quite expensive, but it means you can stay looking your best, even in a festival field. Technology has turned its attention to stubble too. Fancy a five-bladed razor that cross-cuts

your stubble 70,000 times a minute and analyses the thickness of your stubble to deliver the smoothest possible shave? That’s what the Panasonic ESLV9Q offers. Yours for around £300. If the budget is tighter, Braun’s clever Series 9 once again offers smart analysis while you shave but adds microvibrations which Braun says reduces friction to deliver a gentler shave. That’s currently £189 and includes its own personal cleaning station to keep it in tiptop condition. The shavers we’ve mentioned so far are foil shavers, with multiple full-width foils across the top; if you prefer individual rotating heads, the top-rated three-headed shaver on Amazon is Philips’ Series 9000. Currently selling for around £230, it promises incredible results even on three-day growth and offers three different shaving modes depending on how much of a hurry you’re in. Like the Braun, it also comes with its own cleaning station but much cheaper models are available from the same manufacturer. The rush to make personal grooming products smart has had a few hiccups. For example, in 2017 L’Oreal launched a smart, Bluetoothenabled hairbrush that could deliver “a complete hair diagnosis” based on how you brushed your hair. It didn’t take off: it turns out that what we want from technology is much more practical. Sticking Bluetooth into a brush is very clever, but so far at least it doesn’t seem to be very useful.

Images left to right - GHD Platinum+ Styler, Dyson Supersonic hairdryer, Philips shaver, Braun Series 9 shaver

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Extensions or New Build • Planning + Building Regulation Consents • Health and Safety for Construction • Party Wall Awards

Ken Burgess

Tele: 07976 837 031 Fax: E-mail: kcbdesign69@gmail.com

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K B Design

• Architectural Services • Residential + Commercial

070 9200 3581

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

by thousands of eyes, the hay is set alight, smoke and ash filling the air, and in one massive surge young and old run through the flames to cleanse their sins and ensure good luck for the coming year. Friends drag each other through, toddlers hold on to their mothers and men pull up their collars to protect their hair.

Fire Blessing Bhutan

Tucked away in the Himalaya, this small kingdom has boldly stepped into the twenty-first century, but cultural values remain at the heart of everyday life to ensure the ‘gross national happiness’ promised in the constitution. It’s a strong Buddhist culture punctuated by myriad festivals, but most dramatic perhaps is Thangbi Mani, the ‘fire blessing’ held in Bumthang, the country’s spiritual heartlands. Soon after dawn on this special autumn day, townsfolk and farmers come from all directions, beautifully dressed in hand-woven gowns shimmering like rainbows. There are women with babies on their back, old people leaning on bamboo staffs, men in knee-length chequered gho and sweeping white cuffs, and garlands of children whose dark eyes sparkle with excitement. They walk up the valley or tumble down the pine-

scented slopes to cross the footbridge, like one long line of ants suspended high above the river. Meanwhile in the temple, monks offer fresh water to the gods and butter lamps flicker all around. Now tingling in anticipation, the faithful pour into the monastery for the welcome dance, as village girls in their best finery shuffle on the flagstones to the rhythm of long horns and drums. There is much chanting and praying then suddenly something passes through the air and everyone rushes out into the nearby field, led by dignitaries and red-robed monks. Just feet apart, two ominous haystacks are waiting and as more blessings rise under the deep blue sky an eerie silence falls upon the crowds, a human chain ready to break loose at the first spark. All is set for the purification rite and highlight of the year. Watched

Three times round then they come out, bubbling all over, ready for a fresh start. The flames die down as quickly as they started and great clouds of smoke drift downstream, bearing witness to a faith stronger than pain. Prayer wheels tinkle along the banks, Buddhist flags flutter in the breeze and now, in the valley sprinkled with apple trees and nodding buckwheat, the harvest will be good and the children healthy.

Back in the temple there are traditional jesters and masked dancers twirling barefoot on sun-baked stones, in a flurry of multicoloured brocade and ‘thunderbolt steps’. Hoisted on the wall for a better view toddlers munch sunflower seeds, monks shelter from the midday heat under makeshift awnings and families gather around homemade offerings of marigolds and lucky chapattis to share with friends, as if nothing unusual had happened at all. The haystacks have vanished leaving just a patch of singed grass, and now in this bucolic land the river tumbles crystal clear as cymbals and gongs echo across the hills. Solange Hando

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Built in 1840, Glenmore House is a fine example of late Georgian architecture situated in the exclusive Surbiton conservation area adjacent to Claremont Gardens; a landscaped park providing the perfect backdrop for wedding photographs. Impressive double gates open on to Glenmore’s free, private car park which can safely accommodate up to 110 cars.

an ideal setting for your wedding ceremony with elegant 16th century reclaimed cathedral glass windows adding to the sense of occasion.

Every wedding we host is unique and our experienced, dedicated Wedding Co-ordinators ensure that your special day is one that you will remember forever. Glenmore House is licenced for civil ceremonies and can accommodate wedding parties from 25 to 140 guests.

Our fabulous Elizabethan Suite comprises of a magnificent double height ballroom featuring sparkling chandeliers, minstrel galleries and a sprung dance floor, adjoined by an exclusive, contemporary bar area.

Recently refurbished, all our rooms complement each other perfectly. Our light and airy Tudor Rooms offer

With a very competitive room hire charge of just £300 for the private use of our Elizabethan Suite and a £200 hire fee for the use of our beautiful civil ceremony room, Glenmore House represents outstanding

value for money, setting us apart from the majority of extortionately priced wedding venues. Your choice of wedding breakfast is prepared in-house by our brigade of award-winning chefs, who can boast culinary experience in some of the UK’s finest establishments including the Fat Duck in Bray. Our delicious food is created for you using the highest quality, fresh ingredients. We have acquired an enviable reputation for gourmet cuisine second to none, offering superb value for money with no compromise on quality.

0208 399 1415 6 The Crescent, Surbiton, Surrey KT6 4BN info@glenmorehouse.co.uk www.glenmorehouse.co.uk

Banqueting & Celebrations • Weddings • Private Dining • Carvery

FP June 17. V 2.indd 9 04/06/2017 10:54:01 To advertise advertise call Karen: Karen: 020 020 8274 8274 0096 0096 email: email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk To call 25

Spinach and Ricotta Dumplings A tasty and simple meat-free dish that is ideal for a starter or light supper. Serve with warmed ciabatta bread to mop up the creamy sauce.

Ready in: 1 hour | Serves 4 as a starter, 2 as a main course

Ingredients

225g baby spinach leaves 150g ricotta

2 tbsp freshly chopped parsley 50g grated Parmesan 100g plain flour

2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed 2 medium eggs, beaten

Salt and freshly ground black pepper 50g butter

6 tbsp crĂ¨me fraiche

2 tsp freshly chopped chives

TIP

Salad leaves and cherry tomatoes, to serve

Place the spinach in a large metal colander set over the sink. Pour over boiling water to wilt. Refresh under cold water, drain well then squeeze firmly with your hands to remove any excess moisture.

Roughly chop the spinach and place in a large mixing bowl. Add the ricotta, parsley, Parmesan, flour, garlic and eggs. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper and mix to a soft dough. Using clean damp hands, divide and shape the mixture into about 12 walnut-sized balls. Chill for 30 minutes.

Bring a large pan of lightly salted water to the boil. Gently add the dumplings. They will drop to the bottom at first then slowly rise to the top. Once they have risen to the top, cook for a further minute. Remove with a slotted spoon and divide between 2 or 4 warmed dishes. Melt the butter in a small pan. Stir in the crĂ¨me fraiche and simmer to make a creamy sauce. Pour the sauce around the dumplings. Garnish with chopped chives and serve with salad leaves and cherry tomatoes.

Serve the dumplings with a ready-made tomato and herb pasta sauce instead of the creamy sauce, if liked.

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

Serving Serving Surbiton Surbiton Since Since 1962 1962 .. Mothering Sunday & Easter Proud Suppliers of: Specials Call: 020 8399 4870

Scotch Beef Scotch Highland Romney Salt Marsh Lamb Scotch&Highland Lamb Free Range & Gloucester Old Spot Pork Legs, Shoulders, Loins, Best Ends Free Range Chickens & Ducks Balmoral & Royal Deeside Scotch Beef Venison Kelly Bronze Free Range Turkeys Fore Ribs, Fillets, Sirloin, Topside, Silverside Own Make Sausages, Burgers & KebabsGeese Free Range Chickens, Ducks, Turkeys, Opening Hours

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ourFriday shop.

Friday 8.00 am - 6.00 pm 8.00 am – 6.00 pm

Pay & Display bays operate Saturday Saturday between 10am-4pm 7.00 am - 4.00 pm with 7.00 am – 4.00 pm the first 30 minutes free. Sunday Closed Sunday & & Monday Monday --Closed

Visit our shop at 146 Ewell Road, Visit our shop 146(Opposite Ewell Road, Surbiton, KT6at6HE Surbiton, KT6 6HE (Opposite Sainsbury’s Local) or call us to place Sainsbury’ s Local) or8399 call us to place an order on 020 4870 an order on 020 8399 4870

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

For more information For more view ourinformation website view our website www.cdjenningsandsons.com www.cdjenningsandsons.com

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

Cheatsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Apple Strudel

A classic strudel with home-made pastry can take a long time to make, but using a convenient pack of ready- rolled pastry means you can have a delicious fruity pudding on the table in less than an hour!

Ready in 55 minutes | Serves 6

Ingredients

2 large dessert apples, peeled, cored and chopped 50g raisins or sultanas 1 tbsp cornflour

50g caster sugar

2 tsp ground mixed spice 320g pack ready-rolled shortcrust or puff pastry Beaten egg, to glaze Icing sugar, to dust

TIP

Whipped cream, custard and fresh berries, to serve

Preheat the oven to 200C / 180C fan / gas mark 6. Line a baking sheet with baking paper.

Place the apples and raisins or sultanas in a bowl. Mix together the cornflour, sugar and spice and add to the apples, tossing to coat. Unroll the pastry but keep it on the paper. Using a rolling pin, gently roll the pastry a little thinner. With one long side facing you, spoon the apple mixture along the length, leaving a 2cm border at the edges. Gently roll up the pastry to enclose the filling and fold the pastry in at the ends (see Tip).

Place seam-side down on the baking sheet. Brush all over with beaten egg. Bake for 30-35 minutes until the pastry is crisp and golden. Leave to stand for 10 minutes. Dust with icing sugar and serve sliced with whipped cream, custard and fresh berries.

Take care when rolling up the pastry and seal the edges by brushing with some of the beaten egg. Please mention the magazine when contacting Advertisers

WVM can manage all your vehicle needs. Our workshop is located in Berrylands and we carry out mobile smart repairs in the surrounding areas. › SERVICING & REPAIRS

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1980s. Finished in 2002, it works accurately, produces printouts, and weighs five tons.

Charles Babbage’s Difference Engine No 1.

How the Computer Began Believe it or not, the seeds for the earliest computers were sown at the beginning of the nineteenth century.

In 1801 French weaver Joseph Jacquard invented a loom that used punched wooden cards to automatically produce fabric designs – a concept that featured in the first computer systems. However, it is Charles Babbage who is usually credited with the invention of the computer.

Born in 1791, he conceived a steam-driven programmable engine able to work out mathematical problems. Sadly, Babbage never lived to see his computer built, but amongst his many drawings and plans he left behind such a detailed technical design for ‘Difference Engine No. 2’ that the Science Museum’s curator decided to undertake the project in the

Babbage’s computer was never used in anger. However, during the late 1880s, population growth in the United States meant that the government was struggling to calculate its census figures, so in 1890 Herman Hollerith designed a punch card system to automate the task. He saved the government $5 million and in the process established the company that went on to become IBM.

Alan Turing is often described as the father of modern computers. In 1936 he invented the concept of the ‘Turing Machine’, capable of universal calculation. Theoretically, the machine had limitless memory, could read data, write results, and store a program of instructions just like a modern computer.

Turing’s computer was not built either, although his contribution to the Bombe which broke the Germans’ Enigma Code during World War II is well-known. After several electro-mechanical versions, between 1943 and 1944 two American professors, John Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert, constructed the first electronic computer. It was 1,000 times faster than any previously, measured 800 square feet and had 18,000 vacuum tubes. From this came UNIVAC, the first commercial computer launched in 1946. The first computer languages were COBOL, invented by

Grace Hopper in 1953 and FORTRAN (FORmula TRANslation), developed by a team of programmers at IBM. Written in a programming language called C, the UNIX operating system was useable across multiple platforms. It subsequently became the standard for mainframe computers. The 1960s saw the development of the computer mouse, graphical user interface and the invention of the floppy disk, paving the way for the availability of PCs to the general public. Until then computers had only been used by the military, government and commercial companies. Self-confessed computer geeks Paul Allen and Bill Gates founded Microsoft in 1975 and two years later the two Steves – Jobs and Wozniak – launched Apple Computers. Surprisingly the first IBM PC, running on MS DOS, wasn’t unveiled until 1981 while Apple was busy developing its longstanding rival, the Mackintosh.

In the last twenty years, computer technology has smashed through the glass ceiling with the invention of the Internet and networking using Wi-Fi and broadband. I wonder if Charles Babbage would have believed that a computer that once filled a whole room now fits in our pockets.

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By Catherine Rose

ALAN SURSHAM (MOTOR VEHICLE TECHNICIAN)

Registered Office: 1, Orchard Close, West Ewell, Epsom, Surrey, KT19 9NS

Your local MOT TESTER AND SERVICE REPAIRER

ALL CARS COLLECTED AND DELIVERED (LOCAL AREAS)

Interim Service - £85 Full Service - £145 (Parts and Labour included) CARS UP TO 2000 CC Quotes for cars over 2000 cc - please phone

Diagnostics - Brakes - Clutches - Bodywork - Welding etc. Labour Rate £37.50 per hour Telephone:

Office - 020 8397 8654 Garage - 07784 716 567 (For instant attention)

CODEWORD 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

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email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

30 Years On: Poll Tax Riots Revisited By Nadia Houston

poll tax was introduced in Scotland in 1989 and was announced to come into effect in England and Wales in April 1990.

Poll Tax Protestors, picture credit James Bourne

Thirty years ago, in March

1990, the ‘poll tax riots’ marked the beginning of the end of

Margaret Thatcher’s tenure as Prime Minister.

The premise behind the ‘Community Charge’, otherwise known as poll tax, was that it was a flat fee regardless of income. Each person paid a fixed amount set by their local authority, with the idea being that it would replace previously used domestic rates which were levied according to a property’s value. However, this unfairly penalised those worse off in society and very obviously benefited wealthier property owners.

The Community Charge was defended on the principle of marginality: that all voters should have to cover the costs of additional council spending, and that those who benefitted from this expenditure should also pay their fair contribution. Despite protest, some from MPs themselves, the

This was a deeply unpopular policy which resulted in riots and protests breaking out across the UK. The largest demonstration was attended by 200,000 people who came together on 31st March 1990 in central London. Although mainstream media and politicians condemned these activities, there was widespread support from the public for the protestors. Beginning in Kennington Park, thousands of people headed for Trafalgar Square where they were met with police who tried to prevent them from reaching Downing Street.

Mounted riot police were also brought in to clear the protesters from Whitehall, resulting in the majority of the group becoming completely stationary around the area. According to reports, officers then advanced at the crowds at speed, moving protestors back into Trafalgar Square. Contradictory reports exist regarding the nature of the events during the afternoon; some claimed that the mounted police intentionally antagonised

protestors and that police riot vans were driven into the crowd, which further escalated the riots. As a consequence, underground stations in the area were closed which also made it harder for people to disperse.

The rioting left more than a hundred people hurt and resulted in more than four hundred being arrested. Damage to property was extensive throughout key areas of central London, including Oxford Street, Piccadilly Circus and Covent Garden. During the day, protestors had thrown debris at police, set fire to a builders’ cabin and climbed scaffolding. By night this had escalated to looting and setting of fires in cafes and wine bars in Covent Garden, with events continuing into the early hours of the next morning. The unpopularity of the Community Charge undoubtedly contributed to Margaret Thatcher’s downfall. When the tax was introduced, 17 million refused to pay. In opinion polls, 78% were opposed to it. For the first time, Thatcher’s popularity as Prime Minister was seriously questioned. As a consequence, Michael Heseltine, who had always been an outspoken critic of the poll tax, triggered a leadership contest in November 1990 from which John Major emerged the winner.

Major appointed Heseltine as environment secretary, increased VAT to generate extra cash for councils, announced the abolition of the community charge and introduced its replacement – council tax – in March 1991.

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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

020 8399 4362

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

WORDWHEEL

ENCORE SINGING GROUP

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: 23 or more words Good: 19 words Fair: 16 words

E P I

T U

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We are an enthusiastic and friendly â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;not for profitâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; music group, all levels of ability, keen to share and explore musicianship under the superb tutelage of Dr Charles MacDougall, award winning international tenor and one of the foremost classical vocal coaches and choral directors in the UK. We seek only the best! www.charlesmcdougall.co.uk Meeting @ Surbiton Hill Methodist Church (Primary Room) Ewell Road, Surbiton, Mondays 10.00am-12 noon (term time). Pop in for free taster or contact Liz gillyvor@ hotmail.com/ 02082415513. You will be made most welcome and are guaranteed much fun. Keep up to date with our superb sister Music Festival with Arts workshops @www. surbitonsalons.com The best professional performers on your doorstep! Our hosts, The CornerHOUSE Community Arts Centre, could not have been more welcoming. Look out for the Christmas salon.

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

DS 3 Crossback

7 cars you can finance for less than a weekly shop

The average weekly shop is about £60, so what cars are available for less than £240 per month? To give some context to car finance deals we look at cars that are available for £240 per month, the monthly amount that figures suggest the average family spends on food and drink. Each of these deals is based on a personal contract hire (PCH) deal, where you pay an initial rental or deposit plus your monthly fee, which usually includes servicing. At the end of the agreement you return the car at no extra cost, assuming it’s in good condition and below the pre-agreed annual mileage limit. The prices here are just a guide, as monthly payments vary depending on the deposit amount.

Volvo S90 £229.55 per month x 47 Initial rental: £2,065.95 Additional fees: £360 Mileage limit: 5,000p/a Total over 48 months: £13,214.80 The S90 is an ideal, fairly large, good-looking executive saloon that drives well and has a sophisticated road presence and excellent on-board technology. For low-mileage drivers, just over

£13,000 across four years for a Volvo S90 is good value.

Skoda Superb £212.31 per month x 35 Initial rental: £1,910.79 Additional fees: £298.80 Mileage limit: 8,000p/a Total over 36 months: £9,640.44 The Skoda Superb is a fantastic alternative to the Volvo as it’s almost £3,000 cheaper and has less restriction on distance travelled. It’s well-equipped, spacious and has a decent interior, making it perfectly practical for most families. DS 3 Crossback £134.79 per month x 17 Initial rental: £1,213.11 Additional fees: £99 Mileage limit: 5,000p/a Total over 18 months: £3,603.54 The DS 3 Crossback is a new crossover from the premium French brand, sporting quirky styling and efficient powertrains, but priced lower than rivals. Great deals are available, even paying just one month up front. The lower mileage limit is less of a concern because smaller car buyers usually travel lesser distances. Hyundai Ioniq Electric £237.03 per month x 23

Initial rental: £1,422.18 Additional fees: £199 Mileage limit: 5,000p/a Total over 24 months: £7,072.87 This deal proves you can get a good, practical EV with a decent range at an affordable price. The up-front cost isn’t prohibitive, and it’s reasonably priced over the two years. When you factor in fuel savings, it makes a lot of sense. Honda Civic £171.45 per month x 47 Initial rental: £1,028.70 Additional fees: £360 Mileage limit: 5,000p/a Total over 48 months: £9,446.85 The Honda Civic is a greatto-drive small family car for those who don’t want full EV ownership. This price is for the 1.0-litre petrol, but performance is reasonable and it’s one of the best handling cars in this segment. Nissan Qashqai £181.55 per month x 47 Initial rental: £1,089.30 Mileage limit: 5,000p/a Total over 36 months: £9,622.15 The original crossover from Nissan is available with some enticing finance deals right now, with a respectable mileage limit and well-specified versions coming in below £200. Seat Ibiza £135.41 per month x 47 Initial payment: £1,218.69 Mileage limit: 8,000p/a Total over 48 months: £7,582.96 The popular Seat Ibiza supermini stands out, sporting Volkswagen Group build quality in a fun and stylish package. It’s an excellent alternative to the Fiesta. Offers correct at time of writing and are subject to change.

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Come to the Races with Surbiton Rotary Club

Surbiton Rotary Club are holding their annual Charity Horse Racing

Evening on 27 March at the Crowne Plaza Hotel (formerly the Holiday Inn) in Portsmouth Road. This fun evening includes a traditional Fish and Chip supper and nine sponsored races in which you can back horses. In the ninth race you will be able to buy a horse. The first race is at 7.30 pm. Profits from the evening will go to four local charities namely: Kingston Food Bank, Kingston Churches Action on Homelessness (KCAH), Kids Out and the Surrey University based Topic of Cancer. Tickets are £20 available from The Crowne Plaza Hotel. Surbiton Rotary Club meets every two weeks at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Portsmouth Road (Formerly the Holiday Inn) Rotarians work together to raise money for good causes locally and internationally

For further information on the event and about Surbiton Rotary Club go to: www.surbitonrotary.org.uk or e-mail us at surbitonrotary@gmail.com To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

The website Playlist for Life (playlistforlife.org. uk) is run by the UK’s leading music and dementia charity, offering people with dementia, their carers and family members tips on how to create personal playlists. The site offers information on how to find the right music and shows you how to use and listen to a playlist, using the appropriate technology.

Surf’s Up! Over-50s sites that definitely aren’t a wipeout

In the same way that surfers enjoy the freedom to ride ocean waves with consummate ease and skill, many older people have taken ownership of the internet, understanding that it can add richness to their lives and expand their horizons. Here we track down a treasure trove of websites – perfect for silver surfers – that you can bookmark and return to again and again. Silver Travel Silvertraveladvisor.com “The voice of mature travellers”, is an award-winning travel reviews website. Sign up free of charge to get regular newsletters and travel offers, or simply read reviews by other travellers to help you decide on your next holiday destination. Alternatively, join Tom and Kris, former newspaper and magazine publishers, on their travels around the world at travelpast50.com. The couple has visited over 70 countries and you can either read all about their travels in a series of entertaining blog posts or enjoy their informative travel tips and

guides.

Grey Gardening Whether you are a hands-on, all-year-round gardener or someone more likely to cultivate a window box, there are some great websites to tempt you outside. Expert gardener Christine Walkden has posted a number of useful videos, from lawn care to growing ‘show’ vegetables, on ageuk.org.uk.

Alternatively Mike Ballard’s busy website flowerpotman.com carries a wealth of blogs on all aspects of gardening, including gardening tips for the elderly and disabled, covering everything from tending a garden with a bad back to gardening for wheelchair users. Music for memories Spotify isn’t specifically for older people, but it’s a great way to track down songs you loved when you were young. Use the free service (which broadcasts adverts after you’ve listened to several tracks) or subscribe for an ad-free experience. Go to spotify.com and download their web player.

Beauty in maturity “Be seen. Be heard. Don’t be invisible” is the mantra of fabafterfifty.co.uk, a website dedicated to helping women over fifty make the best of their looks and their lives. It’s all about changing perceptions, according to founder Ceri Wheedon who saw her friends “all living life to the full … not prepared to become invisible just because they had reached a milestone birthday.”

With a target audience of men over 40, the Grey Fox Blog (greyfoxblog.com) claims it represents “an often-forgotten but large and affluent demographic.” As a finalist in the Online Influence Awards 2019, founder David Evans is an authority on over-40s male fashion and grooming, with a special focus on the best of British-made clothing.

Whether you choose to make it a one-off ride or you return to these sites as regularly as a keen surfer visits their favourite beach, you’re certain to find something of interest, whether it’s a new recipe, a handy travel tip, or even a group where you can chat to like-minded people. Happy surfing! By Kate McLelland

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road would be considered by the majority as somewhere between ignorant and downright dangerous. And, as the number of vehicles on our roads increase, I can’t see this situation improving.

Easy Tips to Improve Your Driving - 3

This time we look at how to deal with those that are less attentive to their driving – by allowing for ‘challenged’ drivers.

No one is a poor driver, at least not if you ask them. We all have our reasons for driving as we do but, judging by the numerous examples seen in dash-cam footage online, I think some drivers’ idea of what is acceptable on the

Of course the majority of drivers are courteous and safe. It’s the maniacs we all want to stay away from. The lesson here is to keep a sharp eye out for them ahead and in your mirrors, and the golden rule is to maintain adequate space between you and them. Whether it’s better to be in front and getting away from them, or vice-versa so you can keep an eye on them and let them zoom off ahead will depend on the situation. Yes, it can be annoying that the space you have so carefully created is then taken up by another car, but just ease off and create a bit more space again. After all, the few seconds you will lose are nothing compared to the hours you will spend sorting an insurance claim out – or the eternity if something far worse should happen.

By Iain Betson

MEGA DEALS!

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To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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Aspen Veterinary Surgery

HOME WANTED!

Your pet matters to us

Trixie

Trixie is a darling black and white young cat, aged about five months. She came into care as a stray. She was very shy and timid for a week or so but now she comes “out of her shell” quickly once she knows you and is very affectionate. Trixie is a typical, energetic, kitten/cat who plays with all her toys with great joy all day and probably all night as well! She is now looking for her ideal home and would suit a young family with teenage children. She would not want to be on her own all day and would need a secure garden. If you feel you can give Trixie her ideal, well deserved forever home please call Sue on 020 8390 3165.or email adoption@epsom.cats.org.uk Epsom Ewell & District Branch http://www.epsom.cats.org.uk If you cannot adopt a cat but would still like to help us please go to https://www.justgiving.com/Epsom-CatsProtection

Save Money, Spread Costs, Pay Monthly, Open Mon-Fri: 8am-7.30pm Sat: 8.30-11am 24 hour Emergency Service

www.aspenvets.co.uk 351 Ewell Road, Tolworth, KT6 7BZ

As we have around 7,000 cats and kittens in our care at any one time, we will find you the perfect feline friend.

020 8399 6437

www.cats.org.uk Reg Charity 203644 (England and Wales) and SC037711 (Scotland)

Three Essentials for Dog-Proofing Your Home

If you’re eagerly awaiting the arrival of your new dog, or are simply looking after someone else’s pooch for a while, it’s vital to make your home a safe environment. Dogs are naturally curious creatures and will root out food or other items that aren’t always healthy for them. So here are three must-dos to avoid an emergency visit to the vet. 1. Tidy up Dogs can’t tell the difference between items you’ve accidentally left lying around and the toys you intended them to play with. It’s important to

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

Join Aspen Pet Care Plan

tidy up the clothes, papers, magazines and other paraphernalia that’s often strewn around the typical house, so your dog doesn’t chew or ingest anything harmful. 2. Use a safety gate Fixing a child safety gate keeps your dog safe and offers you peace of mind that they’re not getting up to mischief. You might choose the bottom of the stairs, for example, or across the hallway to give them access to the back or front of the house only. 3. Check cables and wires Dogs are renowned for chewing through cables and wires, so make sure any trailing or loose cables are tucked away out of sight, or use cable protectors for added safety. Dog-proofing your home takes some time and thought, and it’s an ongoing process rather than a one-off, but once you spot the potential for mischief or misdemeanour it becomes second nature. www.saga.co.uk/magazine/home-garden/pets/dogs/ dog-proof-home-and-garden www.purina.co.uk/dogs/getting-a-new-dog/ welcoming-your-dog/dog-proofing-home-and-garden www.vets-now.com/pet-care-advice/dog-proof-yourhouse/

By Ann Haldon

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

March into Spring From sustainable beauty to the softest makeup brushes and home-made bath bombs, there’s plenty to tempt you this month…

I recently had to request some new make-up brushes as my eight year old son broke mine applying (as he puts it) Goth makeup. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise as it meant I upgraded my old, rather worn brushes for a sparkling new set from Lily England. The Face Make-Up Brush Set contains five of the softest, most luxurious feeling brushes I’ve ever tried. The set includes a foundation brush, bronzer brush and eyeshadow brush. They’re vegan, look a lot more expensive than they actually are and come in a rather nice white cosmetic bag. In other words, they’d make a great Mother’s Day gift. I’m not letting my son anywhere near these ones. They’re £24.99 from Boots or www.lilyengland.com. Planning to make a gift this Mother’s Day, or looking for an

activity to do with the kids? How about a set of home-made bath bombs? The key ingredients are citric acid, baking soda/ bicarbonate of soda and essential oil. You’ll also need something to use as a mould. Special moulds for creating bath bombs are available, but chocolate moulds are fine for creating smaller bath fizzes and they’re available in a range of shapes. (You can also use them to make aromatherapy wax melts.) Mix one cup of bicarb with one cup of citric acid, and add around thirty drops of essential oil (lavender works well). You can add extra ingredients if you like, such as a tablespoon of almond or olive oil, dried flower petals and food colouring. Then add a splash of water, a few drops at a time, and keep mixing. You want to end up with a mixture that holds its shape when you squeeze it. Push the mixture into the moulds firmly and leave them to dry somewhere warm, like an airing cupboard for a few hours. Then gently push the bath bombs out of the moulds and wrap them in tissue paper.

I’m a fan of BYBI for so many reasons. For a start, it’s one of the most sustainable brands on the market. Bottles can be returned to be washed and refilled. Products only contain sustainable ingredients, including seeds that would have been thrown away. And BYBI makes sure that the people who grow or harvest those ingredients are treated fairly. That’s all well and good, but if beauty products don’t work, there’s little point in them being ethical. Thankfully, these do. I particularly love the BYBI Swipe Clean Cleanser (£26). It’s a 100% natural oil-based cleanser that removes make up easily and leaves skin feeling noticeably pampered. When I’m trying a new cleanser, I skip moisturiser for a few days to really put it to the test. This one left my skin feeling ultra-soft, even several hours later. I also like the BYBI Mega Mist (£26) – a hyaluronic acid spritz that leaves skin feeling more hydrated and ‘glowy’. It’s available from Boots or www. bybi.com.

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By Kate Duggan

What’s on in March:Events in February: 24th: 25th: 26th:

Fairtrade Fortnight Shrove Tuesday Ash Wednesday

Events in March:

Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month Prostate Cancer Awareness Month Marie Curie Great Daffodil Appeal Month;National Bed Month; Red Cross Month;Veggie Month; DVT Awareness Month;Walk all over Cancer Month

1st: St David’s Day; 2nd: British Pie Week 5th: Crufts 2020; World Book Day 6th: British Science Week; Healthcare Science Week 8th: International Women’s Day Deadline for submissions to April issue of A Berrylands Companion 9th: Commonwealth Day: National Butchers’ Week; National Feet Week 2020; Sport Relief 2020 11th: National No Smoking Day 12th: World Kidney Day 15-17th: St Patrick’s Day Celebrations 16th: Disabled Access Day; Compost Week. 17th: St Patrick’s Day 18th: Global Recycling Day 20th: Vernal Equinox, Spring begins 21st: World Downs Syndrome Day; World Poetry Day 22nd: Mothering Sunday; Tick Bite Prevention Week; World Water Day 23rd: World Meteorological Day 24th: World TB Day 26th: Purple Day 2020 for Epilepsy 26-6th Apr: London Games Festival 27th: Wear a Hat Day Surbiton Rotary Club’s Annual Charity Horse Racing Evening at Crowne Plaza Hotel, Portsmouth Road. 27-13th Apr: Eat & Drink Festival, Olympia, Hammersmith Road. 28th: English Tourism Week Earth Hour 8.30pm - 9.30pm, switch off all lights on landmarks for Climate Change 29th: British Summer Time begins, clocks ‘spring’ forward. Family Safety Week; International Dark Sky Week Oxford v Cambridge Boat Race on the Thames

Events in April: 1st: 2nd: 3rd: 6th: 7th: 8th: 9th: 10th: 11th: 12th: 13th

National Pet Month Stress Awareness Month Bowel Cancer Awareness Month Parkinsons Awareness Month

April Fool’s Day International Children’s Book Day International Walk to WOrk Day Discover National Parks Fortnight; Community Garden’s Week. World Health Day Deadline for submissions to May edition of A Berrylands Companion Maundy Thursday Good Friday, Bank Holiday World Parkinson’s Day Easter Sunday Easter Monday, Bank Holiday

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

What’s On/Local Events

1st Tuesday: NHS Retirement Club, 10-12pm at Royal British Legion Hall, Hollyfield Road, KT5 9AL. For information call Lorna: 020 8337 4121 Last Sunday of the month: Women on Wheels, meet outside Clas Ohlson Market Place 10.00. 020 8547 5865. E-mail: ccst@rbk.kingston.gov.uk Art Classes: Every Monday 10-12noon & 2-4pm, with Berrylands Artists at Berrylands Christian Centre, 41 King Charles Road, Surbiton, KT5 8PF. Info: 020 8644 0941

Berrylands Boot Camp: Fun, friendly & focused outdoor circuit training for all abilities! Meet every Friday morning @ 9:15 & Sunday morning @ 9:00 at Green Lane Recreation Ground. £7 per 1 hour session. For more info see www.fb.me/berrylandsbootcamp or contact Rachel by phone - 07841 422879 or email - bootcamp@embracesports.co.uk Broadway Sequence Dance Club: Meets every Monday from 8pm at The Raeburn Hall, Tolworth United Reform Church, Raeburn/ Elgar Avenues. New sequences are taught, some knowledge of ballroom dancing required. Contact Brenda Deane for more info: 020 8390 0233. www.broadway sequencedance.co.uk Cornerston Church, Kingston KT26LF: every 3rd Wednesday of the month: a cream tea, open to all, at 2pm. Plenty of cake on offer plus a short bible talk. An international café, every Tuesday evening at 7pm for free English lessons, and at 7.30pm food, games & bible talk. Craft Morning 3rd Saturday every month 11am-1.00pm. Tel: 0208 549 0733. info@ cornerstonechurchkingston.org Encore Singing Group: Mondays, term time, 10am - 12.15pm @ Surbiton Hill Methodist Church, Ewell Rd. For info: gillyvor@hotmail. com or call: 020 8241 5513. All welcome, contact or drop in. Fircroft Listening Café: Every Friday, 2-4pm. 96 Ditton Road KT6 6RH. No appointment needed. Just turn up if you or someone you know is struggling to cope. Mon - Fri 9.30am - 4pm. Phone or text 07598 910 797. Email: listeningcafe@thefircrofttrust.org Buses 71, 465, K1, K4.

Golden Slippers: New Ballet Classes for mature clients. At Surbiton New Life Baptist Church, Balaclave Road, Surbiton KT6 5PW. Tues 10.45 -11.45. Contact Meryl: 07944 246 778 Hope in Depression: A free course that educates & equips adults and their supporters with tools & proven tips about how to cope better with depression & anxiety. Every Tuesday at Christ Church, Surbiton Hill for 6 weeks starting 25 Feb from 7:30-9:30pm. Expert speakers explore different aspects of mental health each week. Info & Sign up ccsurbiton.org/hidc or call 07423 144803 Kingston Camera Club: Camera enthusiasts welcome. Meet Mon eves, at St John’s Ambulance HQ, Athelstan Rd off Villiers Avenue. 7.30pm - 10pm with coffee break. New members welcome. For more information visit: www.kingstoncameraclub.com Kingston Circle Dance Group: Kingston Quaker Centre, 14 Fairfield East, KT1 2PT, 2.30 - 4.30, first Saturday every month. Social dancing, all welcome. Tel: 020 8399 8684

Kingston Jazz Society: meets alternate Tuesdays at the Druid’s Head pub, Kingston Market. We are a friendly group who listen to recorded jazz from all periods and would welcome new members. Contact Mike Crimmen (Sec) on 07795 574 776 or m.crimmen@btinternet.com Kingston Pensioners’ Forum: Meets 2nd Monday each month at Reform Church, Eden Street, at 2pm. New members welcome. Talks, outings and tea and coffee. For more info: www.kingstonpensionersforum@hotmail. co.uk Kingston Philatelic Society: Meets 8-10pm on 1st Thurs & 3rd Fri, at Surbiton Library Hall, Ewell Road. Info: Brian Sole Tel: 01932 220 677 or email: brian.sole@btinternet.com Ladies Exercise Club: Friendly & fun ‘Keep Moving’ exercise/movement class for ladies 60+ at Berrylands Christian Centre, King Charles Road. Friday 10.15 - 11.15am plus refreshments. Come & try first, free first class. Then £5.50 pay as you come. Call Mary, 01483 284 716 or maryedwards@uwclub.net

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What’s On/Local Events Mind in Kingston: Drop in and café at Alfriston Day Centre Berrylands Road, Thurs 6-9.30pm, Sat & Sun 2-5.30pm. Also at Welcome Centre 53-55 Canbury Park, Mon & Fri 6-9pm. All welcome, www.mindkingston.org.uk or 020 8255 3939 Mrs Bennet’s Ballroom: Wednesdays. Learn Regency dancing at St Mark’s Church Hall, Surbiton, 8pm - 10.30pm. Cost £5 per eve. Contact Libby Curzon, 020 8391 1215. Email: curzone@hotmail.com OASIS daytime group for over 60s at Emmanuel Church, Grand Avenue, Tolworth. There is a mid week communion on 4th March at 2.30pm, followed by refreshments. We’ll also meet on 18th March at 2.30pm to chat, play games & listen to a 5 minute Biblebased talk relevant to our lives and enjoy refreshments. For further details, please call 020-8390 6631. Open Door: Meetings held at Christ Church Hall, junction of Christ Church Rd & King Charles Rd. Alternate Thursdays, 2.15 4.00pm. Meetings on 27th February, 12th & 26th March. A friendship group aimed at seniors. Afternoon tea, chat and short talks from local organisations. St Marks Church:Weds mornings 10.00-11.30 Stay and Play for Toddlers and Carers at St Mark’s Church Hall, St Mark’s Hill. Friday Mornings Coffee and Cake corner 10-11.30am, drop in for coffee at St Andrew’s Church, Maple Road, no booking required for any of them. Scottish Country Dancing: On Thursdays 7.30pm - 10.30pm at St Mark’s Church Hall. Tuition for half an hour from 7.30. Membership £5 a year, Members £3/evening, non-members £4. Join our friendly, informal club for good fun and an easy way to excercise. Check website: www.surbitoncaledonian.co.uk or call: 01932 784 866 Surbiton Club for the Blind and Visually Impaired: Meets alternate Tues 2-4pm at Surbiton Hill Methodist Church, Ewell Road. Social club with entertainment and tea. Transport available if necessary. For information: 0744 364 3716 . Volunteer drivers very welcome.

Surbiton Floral Club: 1st Weds of the month at Raeburn Hall United Reform Church, Elgar Avenue. 7.30 for 7.45pm start. Floral demos, talks, workshops & outings. Tel: 020 8399 8193 Tolworth Model Railway Club: We meet every Tuesday, 7pm , Tolworth Close. We have a permanent ‘0’ gauge 7mm scale layout with modelling facilities, workshop and tea bar! Beginners & experienced modellers welcome. Contact Mike on 07488 346 283 Talking of Trains in Surbiton: Programme of talks at Surbiton Library Hall, each Wednesday evening from 19th Sept, throughout winter months. First meeting free, fee for complete year is £50. Details on www.talkingoftrains. co.uk For further information contact: David Blackmore, 020 8391 1116.Em: dandp@ blueyonder.co.uk Tiny Tunes: Mon 10am & 10.50am at Surbiton Library Hall. Tues 10am & 10.50am at St Nicholas Parish Church, Summer Rd, Thames Ditton. All sessions 40 mins long, features music, dance, parachutes, bubbles & pompoms. Age 3 months -5 years, pay as you go £5, siblings £2.50 www.tinytuneslive.com Tolworth United Reform Church, Elgar Ave: PILOTS Mondays in term time 5.30 - 7pm, children’s activities, crafts, stories for 5 -11 year olds. Weekly cost £1.50, please call Roger on 07525 410 083 / 0202 8393 4270 or email jones.ra@btinternet.com for information. Tolworth World of Dance: Weds 8 - 9.30pm (term time). Dance for Fun, Fitness & Friends, beginners always welcome, see advert. Contact: Brenda 020 8397 9649 or philip. steventon@btinternet.com

If your club or society is not listed on the Local Events, send in the details!! Why not send in your events for Christmas for the What’s On page? Clubs, Schools, Churches, & Charity events should be submitted to

karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

COMMUNITY PAGE

Surbiton & District Historical Society

Tues 3rd March: This is our AGM. There is no charge for visitors this evening, please come & find out about our Society. Refreshments at the end will be free. Tues 7th April: Mr Mike Brown will talk on’The Effects of the Spanish Civil War on Britain in WW2’ Tues 5th May: Mr David Allen will talk on ‘Blood, Gore and Murder in Victorian England’ Tues 5th June: Dr Caroline Withall will give a lecture on ‘The Forgotten Boys of the Sea Marine Society Merchant Sea Apprentices from this area 1772-1873’ Meetings start time: 7.45pm at Surbiton Library Hall, Ewell Road, Surbiton. Visitors welcome, Contribution of £2 appreciated For more details about meetings and the Society, call

The Secretary: 020 8399 4473 Email: lenandmarilyn@virginmedia.com

Kingston upon Thames Archaeological Society

For all gardeners and allotment holders! We are a small friendly local society providing gardening supplies at very reasonable prices to our members: 9 Seeds, summer and spring bulbs, onion sets, seed potatoes. 9 Summer bedding plants and other young plants according to season. 9 Traditional and organic fertilizers and soil improvers/conditioners. 9 Lawn and rose treatments, weedkillers, pest controls. 9 Growbags and bagged compost, pots, gloves, trays, canes, netting etc. Annual membership just £2, senior citizens £1. Website:www.horticultural.moonfruit.co.uk Email: chesshort@live.co.uk

Our trading hut is conveniently sited at Moor Lane Allotments (just off Moor Lane near The Bonesgate pub) Open every Sunday 10am to 12noon, except December. In accordance with our "members only" policy, new members are always welcome to join!

Thurs 12th March: Dr Justine Bailey will talk on Viking Age Non-Ferrous Metal Working Thurs 9th April: Dr David Kennedy, local historian, ‘The Turin Shroud’ Thurs 14th May: Dr Angela Care Evans, former curator of British Museum & President of Sutton Hoo Society, will talk on ‘The Changing Face of Archeology - Personal Retrospective’ Meetings, unless otherwise stated, are held on the 2nd Thursday of the month, at 7.30pm for 8pm start, in the Surbiton Library Hall, Ewell Road, KT6 6AG. Visitors will be asked for £3 donation towards expenses. http://www.kingstonarchaeology.com/

Annual Membership just £2.50, senior citizens £1.50

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27. Plant - sucking insects (5)

Down:

COMMUNITY PAGE

1. Terminate gradually (5,3)

Surbiton & District Bird Watching Society 2. A Sultanate in northwestern Borneo (6) 3. Horologist (10)

Mar 17th: The open Falklands, South Georgia & 4. Slightly (4) 5. Engage somebody to enter the army (6) Antarctica by Paul Stanbury 6. Represents or performs as if in Britain a play (6)by Apr 21st: A Photographer’s Wild 8. Come to terms with (7) Nick Martin 9. Shortened term for provocation (5) May 19th: Social toEvening 13. Returning political ofﬁce (10) 15. Unusually great in size (7)

16. After sunrise and before sunset (8) Outings: 17. Strong and sharp (5) Feb 26th, Wednesday, Thames & Home 18. Having little emotion or sensibility (6) Park, local, 20. AddContact: to the veryMike end (6)White tel: 01372 22./ The highest point; culminate (6) 457719 07981037004 Compass point (4) March24. 1st, Sunday, Dick Focks Common, Surrey, Contact John Barkham tel;01372458739 / 07803295555 October Sudoku March 15th Sunday, Kempton NR Contact: Tony Quinn, Tel: 020 8241 6087; or email: ant.quinn365@outlook.com April 5th Sunday, Bushy Park Family Day, contact: Thelma Caine, Tel: 01372 468 432

Please note that it is imperative to phone the leader to confirm participation, arrange time and meeting place and/or pre-arrange lifts.

SDBWS Publicity Annemarie Stiegler

HOOK ALLOTMENTS AND GARDENS ASSOCIATION Are you interested in gardening? Did you know there is an association in Hook? Our Association was founded over 50 years ago and is run36 by volunteers, can provide a E Page 33-40.indd wide range of composts, fertilisers, seeds and other gardening products at not-for-profit prices to our members. We support gardeners and allotment holders.

We currently currently have have full full and and half We half plots plots available available to rent. rent. Contact: Contact: John Mark on on 07807 07970 300 692395 to 749 Membership a year and and newnew allotment Membershipisis£5 £2.50 a year allotment holders holders have havefree freemembership membershipfor forthe thefirst firstyear. year Our situated next next to to the the Our trading trading facility facility is is situated entrance allotment plots, beyond the rugby entrancetotothethe allotment plots, beyond the club pavillion, rear of King rugby club pavillion, rearEdward’s of King Recreation Edward’s Ground, Hook Road, Chessington Recreation Ground, Hook Road, Chessington

Open: Sundays 10am - 12 noon Feb - Nov 10am - 11am Nov - Jan

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

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

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

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

Please mention the magazine when contacting advertisers Index Home & Garden Car Maintenance

15 19 41 5 43 17 23 21 43 12 29 55 13 43 46 14 18

All Your Garden Needs Berrylands Building Company Berrylands Property Maintenance Carpets4U Chris Mould Plumber HoneyBee Roofing KB Design Kevin Robinson Decorators Leverett Electricals London & Surrey Waste & Recycling Phase Wire Electrical Pro-Fit Windows Systems R.J.Tree Services Richey Brickwork Shaun Overy Heating & Plumbing Will Lord William Stallion Electricals Gardening Home & Interiors

11 11 33 9 9 56 10

Rest & Relaxation Cine Sanctuary Ember Choral Society Encore Singers King George Field Bowls Club Rebel Waltz Cycle Solutions Surbiton Racket & Fitness Club Health

7 6 38

Children & Education Surbiton High School Parenting Kids Page

Solicitors Lewis-Dick

39 39 39

Veterinary Aspen Veterinary Surgery Cats Protection League Pet Care

15 21

31 33 2 37 25 29 37

Alan Sursham Berrylands Autocare Community Motors K&P Tyres Volks Autos Walsh Vehicle Management Drive

27 25 41 28 26

Food & Drink C.D.Jennings Glenmore House Prithi Bake Recipe

52/53 50/51 46 44 3 47

Articles & Editorials Community Pages Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s On & Local Events Pages Crossword Kingston Council Housing Useful Telephone Numbers Sir Edward Davey M.P

Want To Advertise Your Business? Just because there is already an advert for a similar one, please do not think we will not take your advert! There are so many businesses, trades and services that are not represented in

A Berrylands Companion From as little as ÂŁ54 a month your advert can feature here for a year! An email with your artwork will ensure it is featured.

So What is Stopping You? Call Now!

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

Magazine printed by Warwick Printing, Warwickshire

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To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

SPRING INTO ACTION!

FIRST FOR TENNIS, SQUASH GYM & CLASSES

Whatever the weather thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always something going on at Surbiton Racket & Fitness Club. Come and try! Indoor and Cardio Tennis, Squash, Racketball, Zumba, Pilates, Indoor Cycling, our Life Fitness Gym and much, much more. Drop in and look for yourself.

SURBITON.ORG 020 8399 1594

Please mention the magazine when contacting Advertisers