Darling Magazine Richmond - Autumn 2018

darling AUTUMN 2018 PRICELESS

inspiring women

CHEMMY ALCOTT is racing after new challenges

What's HOT in body & skin toning Why go BESPOKE? QubeWest Interiors explains the benefits

Back to school play like a girl • schools in focus • try something new •

The Lounge St Margarets' private members' club

VINEYARD Community Centre in the heart of Richmond Hill

Electric cars finally a real option

living in RICHMOND, TWICKENHAM & ST MARGARETS | darlingmagazine.co.uk

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editor’s letter Dear Darling reader,

Cover: Chemmy Alcott Photos provided by Chemmy Alcott

Publisher Darling Magazine UK Karine Torr Editor Marja-Leena Toseland All Enquiries 07802 949836 Email richmond@ darlingmagazine.co.uk Contributors Lyndsay Russell, Paul Mendelson, Dr Mariette Jansen Photography Gail Fogarty gailfogarty.co.uk Design Anu West apila.co.uk Printer Aquatint scott@aquatint.co.uk Distribution Right Distribution Ltd rightdistribution.co.uk@gmail.com Darling Kingston kingston@ darlingmagazine.co.uk Darling Wimbledon Karine Torr: 07930 396356 Darling North Surrey Karine Torr: 07930 396356 Marja-Leena Toseland 07802 949836 Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate, neither the publisher nor its editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause. Darling Magazine does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form – electronic, recording or otherwise, without prior permission from the publisher.

As the memories of our summer holidays fade with the shortening days, there’s no better way to grab the long cold months ahead by the horns than throwing yourself, and your offspring, into a new hobby. Fancy cake decorating, wet-felt making or dance and drama classes for the kids? Or cricket, football or rugby? Girls are joining the boys and loving it.

Upcycling with Richmond Furniture Scheme or getting involved with the Vineyard Community Centre are great ways to get active and help locals in need.

For an instant mood-lifter, turn to our autumn fashion edit for this season’s hottest trends. If the rosé-fuelled summer evenings are showing on your waistline be assured that the latest body and skin toning treatments will put a smile on your face, trust me on this; I tried ultrasound and RF at EF Medispa.

New hair colour will finish your autumn look, but finding a great colourist you trust isn’t a given. We tried Rush Hair in Richmond for a fabulous ‘natural’ blonde look.

Darling celebrates women who inspire others. The speed in which Chemmy Alcott has carved herself a new career after retiring from ski racing is truly impressive. The #MeToo movement started in October last year and has had a huge impact on code of conduct, especially in the workplace. The film industry has been in the centre of this debate. We asked four successful female filmmakers What’s Next? Leah Chowdry swam the English Channel and raised a staggering £135,000 for Cancer Research UK. Suzanne Ruggles’ is another truly inspirational story of following your calling and of perseverance. Fiona Howarth, CEO at Octopus Electrical Vehicles, is a leading force in cleaning our city air with the switch to greener cars. I’ve been busy snapping fabulous photos for our On’ the Scene pages, have you been papped?

Make the most of your autumn. Until the start of the Christmas season….

Marja-Leena Toseland Editor| richmond@darlingmagazine.co.uk CONTENTS 3 Editor's letter 4 Chemmy Alcott’s new challenges 6 It’s party season - let NC Supper Club take the heat 8 Autumn news from The Lounge, St Margarets Private Members Club 9 The sandwich generation 11 Beauty news - review on the hottest body and skin toning treatments 13 Who do you trust to colour your hair?

14 This season’s hottest fashion 16 Helping with nightmares, Lise Andersen’s new book 17 Our schools in focus 18 Girls taking over boys’ sports and loving it 20 Our amazing local female filmmakers 22 Try something new this autumn 23 Put the shine back on your relationship with the help of Dr De-Stress 24 Bespoke homes by QubeWest Interiors 26 Richmond furniture scheme 27 Vineyard Community Centre needs your help 28 Moore Blatch advises on divorce law 31 Kids Come First helps families cope with separation 32 Leah makes a splash across the English Channel 34 A life of service - Holly Candlish chats to Suzanne Ruggles 37 Electric cars - finally a real option 38 On the Scene with our editor 44 What's On - diary pages 46 Lyndsay Russell's Point of View

inspiring woman

physical and mental CHALLENGE pushes our Inspiring Woman, Olympic skier Chemmy Alcott, to new goals

Our editor Marja-Leena asked Chemmy about her life after the ski racing circuit

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ew challenges of combining a new career and being a mother to her 18-month-old son Locki keeps Britain’s most successful female Alpine skier busier than ever. The former Surbiton High School student and Hampton resident hung up her racing skis in 2014, after four Olympics Games and an incredible seven Overall British Ski Championship titles. She is now an active ambassador for four different

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organisations; Right to Play and Snowcamp amongst them, and did a fantastic job as a BBC commentator at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, which had 52 million viewers during the games.

What has been the biggest challenge in your skiing career, and how did you overcome it?

“The disappointment of being injured during my prime.

AUTUMN 2018 darlingmagazine.co.uk

Injury goes hand and hand with downhill ski racing at speeds of around 70-80mph.

But still it is a hard hurdle to get over. But injuries and pushing myself to my limits are also something I am really proud of because is showed that every time I skied I was prepared to find my growth mindset and challenge myself out of my comfort zone.

The worst part of injury is missing being able to rip around the mountain. I used to commentate at weekends

inspiring woman

for Eurosport with my broken leg elevated next to the live screen being really jealous of the racers.”

How did you first get into ski racing? It's seen as an elitist sport as it requires a lot of training time in the mountains. How could it be made accessible to more young people in Britain?

“I was 18 months old and the youngest of a ski mad family.

My father was a rugby player and my mother a swimmer. So I always say that genetically with his powerful glutes and her efficient lungs I was made to be a skier!

The sport is much more accessible now in the UK than

it was when I was young with many indoor snow domes and even fantastic learning facilities such as Chelski, where you can ski on gigantic treadmill!”

You retired from racing in 2014. What’s keeping you busy now? Have you found new adventures that fuel your legendary quest for adrenalin?

“The need for competition never dies. I love sport. I love to challenge myself physically and mentally. When I retired I signed up straight away for the World’s toughest ski race across the Arctic in Greenland. I also started, alongside my husband, our own company CDC

Performance (Carpe Diem Coaching) to develop young people through sport by hosting on-snow experiences.

Being a business owner and sharing it with your hubby can be amazing but also exhausting - sometimes we have to give ourselves 5 minutes to not talk about work! I definitely challenged myself by helping to host this years Winter Olympics.

Jumping in at the deep end by having to become a winter sports expert across the different sports was exhausting but so much fun!”

What are you planning for the future? And what lessons from you career in sports you hold most valuable?

darlingmagazine.co.uk AUTUMN 2018

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dining promotion

It’s Party Season

and

NC Supper Club is here to help After our wonderful summer of sun, it’s time to prepare for autumn. As the nights draw in we start to think about FOOD AND PARTIES for friends and family

By Roz Hanna, Features Editor For an extra special party this season, I have the answer for you: NC Supper Clubs. Most of you, Darling readers, already know the founder, Nesan Thirunesan from suppers and parties featured in these pages, with guests including our very own Editor Marja-Leena.

Nesan hosts supper clubs all over SW London and you can hire your own private chef to curate a bespoke menu for a private family dinner, large party or corporate occasion.

Nesan explains: ‘My hobby is food and nurturing talent. NC Supper Clubs and Chef’s Kitchen Social help chefs and cookbook authors to showcase their dishes via supper clubs, photography and cooking demo events.

‘I love good food and giving chefs the chance to work their magic with a fusion of flavours and clever combinations of local seasonal ingredients, using traditional and innovative methods of cooking.

‘Some people have hobbies like playing golf or collecting classic cars. For me it is bringing talented chefs to an ever more food-savvy clientele. Londoners will travel across town to experience great food. I love being a part of that,’ he explains.

I met Nesan at a Sunday lunch event showcasing the talent of Bobby Geetha, UK Masterchef finalist in 2016 and author of “Beyond Curry”.

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Nesan SC DPS_Richmond_18.indd 2-3

Bobby now heads Asha, one of Asia’s Top 50 restaurants in Dubai and recently won Gold as Executive Chef of the Year in the Middle East Chef Excellence Awards 2018.

His Keralan-inspired cuisine is living proof of how far we have come from the first ‘Indian’ restaurants in the UK in the 1970s, actually Bangladeshis catering to the old British love of ‘lumps of meat in a sauce’!

Bobby’s dishes are perfect for our now-sophisticated palates. He flew over from Dubai to deliver a delicious 5-course menu, beautifully paced and flavoured, the aromas a reminder that Kerala was historically a spice trading capital.

Our taste buds were awakened with Langoustine Achar, with tempered watercress puree, then tickled some more with Crab Masala Vada, featuring sweet pepper Rasam and oyster mushroom. Then came the confit and Masala-fried chicken wings with button onions on a sweetcorn and turmeric puree, a reminder that chicken wings can be truly appetising.

There followed a memorable Red Mullet Moiilee, pink hoppers and heirloom carrot thoran. Chef Bobby explained to us that the calcium-rich scales are good for us, and he made them enticing by keeping them crispy.

The finale was a Ilaneer Payasam, a baked Kerala banana and custard apple fritter, both delicately flavoured and deeply filling.

All images courtesy of Rupa Photography

Chef Bobby with Nisha Parmar and Alex Jorge (from 2018 Masterchef series)

Chef Bobby at work

Nesan and Chef Bobby Geetha

Also there to enjoy Bobby’s brilliance in the kitchen were finalists from this season’s Masterchef, Alex Jorge and Nisha Parmar, along with Arup Dasgupta, an executive chef and NC Supper Clubs regular, known as the Master of Sauces.

finally an extra-large helping of generosity from Nesan himself, who treats everyone who attends to complimentary Prosecco, wine and live music from a talented young musician called Alex – ok, you saw it coming – the icing on the cake.

The ‘feel-good factor’ was as palatable as the food – Nesan not only works with chefs curating a good menu, he curates a great event – with all the key ingredients (had to have that in somewhere, sorry) – great chef and dishes, eclectic group of people with one thing in common – a love of food and

If you want to create your own event, for family, friends or business, NC Supper Clubs will help you select a chef for the cuisine of your choice and introduce you or book (with no mark-up) to suppliers for everything you might need – from waiting staff, to lighting and heating to marquees.

‘I am not in this to make money,’ Nesan emphasises, ‘I enjoy nurturing young and older talent and helping them build up their careers by creating events that I enjoy going to myself.’ ncsupperclubs.com Twitter: @ttnesan Instagram: @nesancreations 0203 078 9737 For private chef hire please call Chef Kitchen Social 020 3078 9737 Twitter: chefs_social Instagram: @ chefskitchensocial

(cont. from p 5)

“Sports like skiing where you have to push yourself to your limits in order to progress have really helped me get out my comfort zone.

This is something I still do in my retirement.

I still continuously challenge myself - from my TV work, to my role with charities, brand ambassador, business owner and mostly being a mother.”

When’s Locki’s first ski lesson?

“He was on skis at around 14 months old when we were coaching at the GB champs. Dougie and I were both 18 months when we learnt and I would never push Locki into the sport. But as soon as he learnt to walk, a friend leant us some red ski boots, and every day when we came back from the mountain he was wearing them.

Eventually we took him and he loved it. A few weeks ago he had his first lesson at Chelski. He doesn’t love being a beginner and wanted to go to the back of the slope. Oh gosh! What am I in for!?”

Locki skiing darlingmagazine.co.uk AUTUMN 2018

7 24/08/2018 11:53

entertainment

What’s on at The Lounge St Margarets' Private Members Club

Natalie Hawthorne, General Manager, looks into the autumn

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t’s hard to believe that The Lounge has been operating for just under two years.

A lot has happened since we opened our doors to our first members back in January 2017 and, as the only private members club in St Margarets, situated in a working film studio, we have a lot to offer.

It’s great to see so many local residents enjoying our beautiful space and panoramic views particularly as we had plenty of beautiful days this summer.

We have had a busy summer at The Lounge. Members now have access to Century Club and Blacks Club in Soho as part of their annual membership.

Whether you work in town or run your own business from home, our members can enjoy access to three private member clubs for the price of one membership! We have also been

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out and about in the local community, supporting the Crown Road Street Party, local school fairs and launching our short film competition. Shortlisted entries will be shown at ‘TW1 Film Fest’, our very own red-carpet film festival at Twickenham Studios in the autumn. While the summer holidays draw to a close, our focus now shifts towards fine tuning our autumn programme of events in addition to hosting our regular supper clubs, film screenings and quiz nights.

We are particularly excited to partner with Twickenham resident and renowned local artist Jem Panufnik who is bringing his contemporary and disruptive style to The Lounge in September by showcasing his collection of Twickenham and Richmond landscapes. “TW1 Curiosities” exhibits at The Lounge from Friday 21st September until Friday 2nd November.

Given our unique panoramic views of the local landscape from our rooftop bar, we feel Jem’s

AUTUMN 2018 darlingmagazine.co.uk

art is the perfect content to share with our members. Non-members will also be able to view Jem’s exhibition by visiting on our open afternoons between 3-6pm on September 22nd and 29th. So, lots going on right now.

We are always excited to hear from local residents so if you are interested in becoming a member or would like to come and view the club, please get in touch: Email: membership@ twickenhamstudios.com web: twickenhamstudios.com

events

Your Parents NEED YOU Your Children NEED YOU Welcome To The Sandwich Generation

I Dame Esther Rantzen DBE

t’s no secret that healthier lifestyles and better medical care are helping towards increased life expectancy. Whilst this is good news, the growing pressures on the NHS and social care services, as well as on ourselves, cannot be ignored.

In response to this growing need for advice and information, the Really Helpful Club is hosting an event on Tuesday 6th November to help us tackle the challenges that increased life expectancy brings and how we can plan across the generations. Dame Esther Rantzen DBE will be giving the keynote speech. Dame Esther is the founder of The Silver Line, the UK’s only free confidential helpline providing information, friendship and advice to older people.

Photo courtesy Time & Leisure Magazine

A line-up of expert speakers will be offering advice, guidance and solutions on mental and physical wellbeing at every age, financial and legal planning for ourselves and our parents, combating loneliness, and advice on options for care and assisted living.

Sarah Austin, Founder of the Really Helpful Club told us, “Many of our members are part of the so-called ‘Sandwich Generation’ - those with older relatives to support and consider, as well as children to take care of and provide for. It’s vital that we should all be aware of the issues and what we can do to plan ahead and to live our lives to the full. That’s why we’re delighted to welcome Dame Esther as our keynote speaker for this important event, along with our expert panel”.

The event is open to RHC members and nonmembers. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the speakers and exhibitors and connect with each other over lunch. Tickets and exhibitor information are available from RHC Events Director, Caroline Edwards, at caroline@reallyhelpfulclub.com

Really Helpful Club is an online and offline community for positive, like-minded people.

Membership is free and the network shares great ideas and recommendations to support and connect with one another in our personal and business lives.

To find out more visit reallyhelpfulclub.com

FAMILY MATTERS Advice and Solutions for the ‘Sandwich Generation’ Date: Tuesday, 6th November 2018 Venue: Roehampton Club, Roehampton Lane, SW15 5LR Timings for the day: 9.15am: Arrival & registration 9.45am – 12.30pm: Speakers 12.30pm onwards: Sandwich lunch - an opportunity to meet the speakers, exhibitors and connect with one another

darlingmagazine.co.uk AUTUMN 2018

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beauty review

ZAPPING tummy fat and TIGHTENING skin sounds almost too good to be true...

Our editor tried the Spa RF (radio frequency) Dual-layer Thermotherary at EF Medispa in Richmond

I

was excited to see what could be achieved in the hour or so I had reserved for my appointment, in which I was to tone my abdomen and upper arms. A tall order, but I had been promised visible results straight away so here I was at this new swanky medispa in the middle of Richmond.

Katerina, my aesthetician, was great at explaining what she could do for me with the best treatment for the areas I wanted to tackle. She recommended ultrasound for fat reduction on my abdomen. It destroys fats cells by heating the skin’s inner layer (dermis) up to 39-42 degrees Celsius (thicker the fat layers hotter the treatment). This took 20 minutes and felt like a relaxing and warm massage.

She then finished the area with advanced RF, which also warms up the area, but is used to tighten and tone skin. A great treatment especially after weight loss and

EF Medispa client before and after RF & Tear Trough Filler treatment in the under-eye area post-natally. RF can be used all over the body and face and is highly effective for reducing double chins and for treating wrinkles, loose and thin skin.

The advanced RF machine was also used on the inside of my upper arms to tighten skin, which at my middle-years is sadly starting to sag.

As the deep structures of your skin tighten right away, results are immediately visible. With time, new collagen develops, further tightening your skin and yielding even more beautiful, natural looking and firmer skin.

It’s non-invasive,

fast, requires no downtime and provides excellent long-term results I was told.

Depending on the size of the treated area, a treatment may take up to 45 minutes. Following each treatment, you can immediately resume all routine activities. You may notice a slight redness, which should disappear in less than 24 hours. Generally, no more than four to eight treatments at two week intervals will be required.

I’m pleased to report that I left the clinic with a little flatter stomach and definitely tighter skin on both my tummy and upper arms.

To discuss your requirements and the full list of options available please visit: efmedispa.com 9-11 The Quadrant, Richmond TW9 1AR 0208 0235851

darlingmagazine.co.uk AUTUMN 2018

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To find out more please visit www.daraford.com/bespoke

hair review

Who do you trust to colour your hair?

Matilda Toseland put Rush Hair in Richmond to the test

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aintaining the ‘natural’ blonde look can feel like an arduous task but a trip to Rush Richmond could not feel less like a chore. Excellent customer service is in the Rush ethos and this is apparent from the moment you walk in the door; within mere moments my coat had been taken to the cloak room, I had been offered refreshments and seated.

The difference between expertly done highlights and a botch job is astounding; it is the difference between seamlessly blended shades of blonde and stripy hair, the difference between a natural tone and a yellow mess.

All the colourists at Rush are expertly trained and have mastered this art perfectly. Poppy was my colourist and she immediately knew exactly what to do to get the exact shade of blonde that I desired. After the dye was expertly applied to my hair and allowed to sit for a while I was guided over to a room at the back of the shop where the basins were. There was a calm atmosphere in this dimly lit room and I couldn't have felt more relaxed as Poppy washed out the dye and gave me a head massage. She used both Kérastase Bain Extentioniste shampoo and Magnesium silver neutralising shampoo; the former to strengthen my hair and the latter to counter any brassy tones.

Kérastase fusion-dose treatment was then used to put protein back into my hair, minimising the damage of the bleach on the health of my hair.

I was then taken back over to the main salon for a blow dry. Kérastase heat protector was applied pre-blow dry to prevent damage to my hair and Moroccan Argan oil was applied after, leaving my hair unbelievably soft.

My overall experience at this friendly yet professional salon was overwhelmingly positive and I would definitely recommend their colouring services to any other fellow ‘natural’ blondes. darlingmagazine.co.uk AUTUMN 2018

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fashion

Get ready for the COLD with fashion’s HOTTEST looks this autumn 1. Throwback to the 80s and animal print is back with 1.

a vengeance. If that’s not your style and you prefer something classic, still staying on trend, play with accessories with a nod to animal print. Go for a muted option; snow leopard or zebra print, if you want to avoid the the classic brown tone leopard print.

Less is more in a chic look.

This season’s colour palette is not the traditional autumnal tones; look out for khaki, red/pink/nude/tangerine hues, varying shades of blue/navy with grey accents.

Remember the two-colour rule from my last style tips page...plus dress for your body type, skin and hair tone.

Wearing the right colours will literally make you glow, everyone will be compelled to say how lovely you look. Get that wrong and the colours you choose will drain you.

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2.

3.

3.

4.

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Knowing what to wear in Autumn can be tricky when the weather is transitioning. Layering or lightweight jackets, ponchos and scarves are always a wardrobe staple. Just update them in the latest cut and colours.

As a Professional Stylist, I can help you to: refresh your entire wardrobe, find an outfit for a special event, get ready for a new job or back to the dating scene... whatever your requirements, I’m here to help.

Max Mara sheer tie neck blouse, red £310

Justine Elton Sartorial Image Consultant tel: 0203 759 1445 web: sartorial-JCE.com instagram: Sartorial_ImageConsultant House of Fraser Issa Lottie Marabou fur jacket, bordeaux £149

Sartorial gold coloured navy tassel earrings with crystal detail £12.50

Kurt Geiger Violet knee high boots, grey also available in black £229

Tommy Hilfiger studded tote bag, navy £240

Office Me Too shoe boots £85

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AUTUMN 2018 darlingmagazine.co.uk

Reiss Tally skirt, navy £140

Hobbs Elena blouse £189 Estella trousers £129

Harrods Marmot Racoon fur collar, navy £290 Hobbs Luna gloves £65 Sartorial gold coloured long knot necklace £22

Jaeger Cutabout animal print scarf £75

Sartorial Luxury large Silver plated crystal oval earrings £165

Hobbs Diana coat, navy £499

House of Fraser Oui leather jacket, taupe £379

Hannah trousers £119

Phase Eight Ilia lace bodice jumpsuit, dark pink £140

Feather & Stitch maddox silk shirt, khaki leopard print £250

Lauren Ralph Lauren Elleada shirt white £125 L.K.Bennett Launa tangerine dress £175

Coach Turnlock Edie tote bag, grey £375 Jigsaw Peony silk front batwing top £98

Reiss Lya blue grey suede shoes £165

Dune Oshaa animal print boots £115

Diesel Fayzna-ne sweat jeans £250

psychology

author

author

INC MONSTERS INC

d Psychologist and long-time Darling caught up with Child Psychologist and long-time rsen onWoking children’s nightmares resident, Lisa Andersen on children’s nightmares

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d

at

a ng

l e

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or a long time the purpose of sleeping was a puzzle for scientists as they could see that the brain is just as active during sleep as during being awake. However we now know that while we are sleeping a lot of important processing, restoration, and strengthening occurs of both the body and the brain. The brain is being cleansed from waste products and a memory consolidation is taking place. During the day we experience a huge amount of input and the brain needs to sort and transfer these into the long term memory. This may be the reason why little children who learn and grow at a breath taking pace need so much Karine Torr Darling Editor, met up with Lise in Copenhagen where she nowsleep. lives

Karine Torr Darling Editor, met up with Lise in Copenhagen where she now lives

little children, have more nightmares than Dreaming is a normal and necessary process that adults. Most families will know the experience takes place when we sleep. Every parent knows of a child crying out in the middle of the night that their child is dreaming from the moment needing comfort from mum or dad because of they arrive in this world. When children reach a frightening nightmare. And most of us would the age of 3 years they sleep an average of 12 rather be without the nightmares. For some hours per day and of that approx. 25% is “REM families nightmares turn into a problem with sleep”, the stage of sleeping where dreaming the child waking up from a nightmares every occurs. REM sleep occurs several times during a night or the child resisting sleep, being afraid of full night’s sleep. So research points to dreaming having a nightmare. Hence children and their being may for storing into already families need aand littleintegration help on learning how held memory taking place.

As the input we to handle nightmares and lessen their occurence. receivepsychologists during the day can be visual techniques or auditory Clinical have developed as well as tactile, so our dreams are visual that can easily be learned on how to handle as well as auditory and tactile.

Many of us willThese recognize nightmares and lessen their occurence. this from have experience - that after especially techniques shown themselves to be effective eventful days wewith will both have very vividand dreams and are now used children adults during the night. struggling with nightmares.

little children, have more nightmares than adults. Most families will know the experience of a child crying out in the middle of the night needing comfort from mum or dad because of a frightening nightmare. And most of us would rather be without the nightmares. For some families nightmares turn into a problem with the child waking up from a nightmares every night or the child resisting sleep, being afraid of having a nightmare. Hence children and their families may need a little help on learning how to handle nightmares and lessen their occurence.

Clinical psychologists have developed techniques that can easily be learned on how to handle nightmares and lessen their occurence. These techniques have shown themselves to be effective and are now used with both children and adults struggling with nightmares.

Nightmares areofdreams that turn frightening.

“The Little book Bad Dreams - and how to has not come up with getScience rid of them” is been usingable thesetotechniques.

It isan explanation as to why dreams turnthem into written for children agedsome 4-8 years to help nightmares.

Though fight their nightmares. The parent and the child dreams serve ana are meant to read it together.

The contains important purpose, number of enjoyable and fun tasks for the child dreams turning to do. While doing these fun tasks, the child into is nightmares seems to learning how to fight nightmares and trying out have no additional these techniques. This is the kind of book many purpose.

We also parents would say: “I wish I have had this book know that nightmares when my children were little.” are normal and that psychologyforlittleones.com/eng/home children, especially

“The Little book of Bad Dreams - and how to get rid of them” is using these techniques. It is written for children aged 4-8 years to help them fight their nightmares. The parent and the child are meant to read it together. The contains a number of enjoyable and fun tasks for the child to do. While doing these fun tasks, the child is learning how to fight nightmares and trying out these techniques. This is the kind of book many parents would say: “I wish I have had this book when my children were little.”

psychologyforlittleones.com/eng/home

darlingmagazine.co.uk | autumn 2018 21 shop local darlingmagazine.co.uk | autumn 2018 16 AUTUMN 2018 darlingmagazine.co.uk

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schools in focus

King’s House School Boys' prep school for ages 3-13 (girls in Nursery) King’s House is a happy, lively, busy School where their pupils thrive. The School aims to offer a broad education to all pupils enabling them to develop their academic, social, sporting and artistic attributes. This breadth and balance is one of the strengths of the School. The academic side underpins the

education here, with the emphasis on the core areas in the early years spreading to an increasing range of subjects by the top end of the School.

“An excellent, all-round, happy prep school that brings out the best in all its boys.”

King’s House parent For regular Visitor Mornings for prospective parents and children. Please contact the Registrar, Mrs S Bass for details.

The Mall School An independent day school in Twickenham for boys age 4+

185 Hampton Road Twickenham TW2 5NQ 020 8977 2523 themallschool.org.uk Please email admissions @themallschool.org.uk to book your open morning place.

Newland House School A prep school and nursery for girls and boys aged 3 to 13 Newland House is an established and energetic school that offers non-selective entry in Reception and has an extensive, engaging curriculum, which fosters a sense of self-confidence and provides opportunities for children to reach their full potential by encouraging learning at a comfortable and appropriate pace.

Traditional standards are very

There is a strong belief that all pupils have potential and it is through inspirational teaching and excellent pastoral care that this potential can be developed in all their boys.

Non-selective at entry into Reception. Assessments are held for entry into other year groups, including an intake into Year 3 (7+) where the school expands important and exceptional pastoral provision supports individual development and a strong sense of community.

Pupils have excellent academic outcomes, gaining scholarships and awards at top senior schools. The last ISI inspection judged that ‘Throughout the school, the quality of the pupils’ achievements and learning is excellent.”

For Whole School Welcome Events please visit: newlandhouse.net or email: admissions@newlandhouse.net

68 King's Road Richmond TW10 6ES 020 8948 0358 kingshouseschool.org to three forms per year. The boys go on to a range of senior schools including St Paul’s, KCS and Hampton and after 2019 all boys will leave at the end of Year 6 with a move to being an 11+ school.

Open mornings: Wednesday 19 September, 9:00am Saturday 6 October, 9:30am Wednesday 7 November, 9:30am (7+ and 8+ entry only) Thursday 15 November, 9:00am (4+ Reception entry only)

Waldegrave Park Twickenham TW1 4TQ 020 8865 1234 newlandhouse.net

darlingmagazine.co.uk AUTUMN 2018

17

sports

Play Like a Girl…

Holly Candlish finds out how

Throwing like a girl, running like a girl and playing like a girl: all disparaging ways of putting women down; but not for much longer, if three local sports clubs have their say. Oxshott Royals Football Club, Esher Cricket Club and Cobham Rugby Club are amongst a growing number of traditional male sports clubs welcoming women into their ranks and investing time and money into coaching young women and girls to make sure that ‘playing like a girl’ becomes a battle cry.

Following the success of the England Women’s cricket team: not only winning the World Cup in 2017, but rightly earning the title of the BBC’s sports personality team in that same year, cricket is growing in popularity amongst girls in the area.

U15 England and Surrey player Ella Nigrelli (centre) from Cobham Rugby Club

Esher Cricket Club has seen numbers swell, from nine last year, to an impressive 58 strong membership this Summer. ‘We’re keen to invest in the girls’ teams,’ says Geoff Ellis, club chairman, ‘We moved girls’ training to Sunday mornings, picked our best young coach, Ben Collins and entered the girls into Winter

Cricket at Esher Cricket Club

leagues to keep the training up.’

But what’s in it for the girls? Judging by the enormous number training on a Sunday morning, there’s plenty to fire their enthusiasm. ‘My daughter watched cricket on TV and really wanted to learn,’ enthuses cricket mum, Rachel Pitts. ‘Lots of schools are dropping rounders in favour of cricket and at Esher, she’s learning new skills and a lot about teamwork.’

Oxshott Royals FC

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AUTUMN 2018 darlingmagazine.co.uk

header

But cricket isn’t the only team sport that is growing in popularity: The Women’s FA Cup Final in May between rivals Chelsea and Arsenal attracted a record crowd of 45,423 to Wembley Stadium. Interest is set to increase with the Women’s Football World Cup in France, in June 2019, when England will have a second chance to make sure football is coming home.

Since 2014 Oxshott Royals FC has benefitted from the FA’s drive to invest in ground roots leading the club to visit local primary schools to introduce the game to girls. Director of football for Oxshott, Scott Rimmer, coaches boys and girls but notices a different mind-set between the two: ‘Girls are motivated differently, not just playing to win. They are more inquisitive, generally listen better and like to understand technique.’

With a growing number of girls’ teams and a calendar of social events at the club, there’s no shortage of opportunities to play a high level of sport and expand the girls’ social network. ‘We are launching a girls’ development programme on Sundays from 9.30am - 10.30am at Oxshott Village Sports Club and offering the first two sessions free of charge,’ he adds.

Arguably the most controversial sport played by women is rugby. However, in recent years, it has been championed by an ever-growing number of supporters and players and grown at an impressive rate since England won the 2014 Rugby World Cup. Cobham Rugby Club field teams in four age groups. They have a thriving girls’ section and

enjoyed success with their U15 team winning the area competition and qualifying for the nationals. There is an established pathway taking the girls through to higher levels of the sport with many of the girls playing for Surrey or the England development squad, now a Centre for Excellence at Harlequins.

One player who has followed this route is 15-year-old, Ella Nigrelli, ‘I’ve played rugby since I was four. I’ve got three older brothers, so I was bought up on a rugby pitch. I played for the U15 girls’ team and qualified for Surrey and England.

I play number No 8 and prop, but I prefer No 8 as it’s a more active position and I can run with the ball and use more skill on the pitch. I do like barging through people.’

Asked if she’s ever afraid, she says, ‘I get nervous when I see a scary opposition – but honestly school hockey is terrifying compared to rugby.’

According to Ella the opposition in rugby may be tough on the field but are always friendly off the pitch. She clearly loves the physicality and camaraderie of her chosen sport and dreams of a professional career in rugby.

But dreams of securing the kind of sponsorship and rewards of their male counterparts at present are just that – dreams. Yet, far from giving up on their goals, they should be reminded of Billie Jean King, who used sport for positive change and through talent and willpower secured a revolution in female sports remuneration. Let’s hope for Ella, and girls like her, that positive changes - however slowly - will occur in their chosen sports so that in the future they will be rewarded for their ability to ‘play like a girl’.

For membership enquiries contact: vicky.alexander@cobhamrugby.co.uk eshercc.co.uk oxshottroyalsfc.co.uk darlingmagazine.co.uk AUTUMN 2018

19

women in film

WHAT'S NEXT? As movements such as Time’s Up and #MeToo continue to highlight inequality in the film industry, let’s look at what our local female filmmakers are up to

W

omen led the way at the Sundance Film Festival in London where twelve films from this year's Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, were selected to be screened. The four-day festival showed a whole weekend of bold, female-focused stories.

With seven out of the twelve films showcased directed by women, along with a thrilling array of female leads on screen, the selection championed female voices and highlighted some of the broad and excellent women-led work.

Darling asked four local accomplished female filmmakers what's next for them and have they seen a shift for better opportunities?

Shamim Sharif and Hanan Kattan Enlightment Productions, Kingston “We’ve seen a huge shift in attitudes in the last year, especially in LA. We’re used to meet-

Shamim & Hanan with Charles Dance on set of Despite the Falling Snow

two women on very different sides of Trump’s America. We’ve always made complex stories that make women the protagonists, not the supporting cast - it’s great to see Hollywood catching up!”

Shamim and Hanan

ings where movie execs balk at lead roles for women, women of colour etc. But it’s changing.

Shamim’s fourth novel, The Athena Protocol, is about a rogue agency run by very international women and the lead character is LGBT - and it’ll be a lead title for Harper Collins young adult books in September 2019. Film interest in the book is high too. And our other movie project, Polarized, is a love story between 20

AUTUMN 2018 darlingmagazine.co.uk

Kate on set of Even When I Fall

Kate McLarnon Director at Postcode Films lives in Twickenham “At the moment I am concentrating on growing the slate of my production company Postcode Films and steering it towards documentary projects that really speak to all our values.

women in film

We have a majority of women filmmakers on our staff and our freelance books - in all roles from director to DOP to editor - and I love that. Over the past five years it's been a significant challenge balancing all the maternity leaves and the various physical and scheduling challenges that pregnancy has brought to the table for our team (at times we've had shoots with majority pregnant crew).

The tone and the force of the conversation has changed, making me hopeful. I think there's real momentum since #MeToo and people who would have turned a blind eye to protest are being forced to listen up more now, particularly those in established positions. Real change is not a sure thing but there has definitely been a shift in the profile of the conversations around women in film, and there is a coming together of various voices who have in the past been quieter on their own.”

Kate’s and co-director Sky Neal’s first feature Even When I Fall, was nominated for the BIFA Discovery Award and was part funded by the Sundance Documentary Film Fund (as well as the BFI of course and a Chicken and Egg Pictures grant - which is a fund directly benefitting women in film).This incredible documentary tells the story of young trafficing survivors who reclaim their performance skills by forming Nepal’s first circus, Circus Kathmandu.

Vanesa Bailey is a self-taught actress, writer and filmmaker based in Kingston. She has also scriptconsulted and cast other people’s projects.

Vanessa at the Darling Inspiring Woman shoot

“My first film, Seeing Him, is coming to the tail-end of its festival run, having won 12 awards so far. We are finalising my new short film, Bus Stop, a story of two strangers who find themselves at a bus stop and the unexpected journey they take together. I wrote the script over one, sleepless night and showed it to my husband the next day. He said “You should make it” so we did. I decided to direct this time as it was a new challenge for me and meant that I could be even further involved with the creative process as a whole.

There is a definite sense of camaraderie amongst indie filmmakers and my greatest supporters in practical and emotional terms have been both women and men. The women I know who are the most impressive filmmakers have a sense of humour about themselves and about filmmaking and have savage work ethics. They are often the women who have had to negotiate tough times in their lives, they possess a resilience and a determination and a sense of perspective. They find brilliant teams and they create beautiful work. And it shows in the stories they tell. I believe very strongly in creating your own opportunities. No one owes me anything and I like to earn the right to show my films to people.”

Vanessa on set of Bus Stop, photo by Christopher Frith

darlingmagazine.co.uk AUTUMN 2018

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activities

Why not TRY SOMETHING NEW Mention Darling when booking! this autumn?

Stagecoach

Stagecoach Richmond and Stagecoach Twickenham & Teddington are delighted to have opened enrolments for the Autumn Term. Every student participates in all three performing arts disciplines - drama classes, dance classes and singing classes - helping to develop confidence, physical awareness, communication and articulation - as well as being educational and lots of fun! In addition, opportunities exist for students to be offered professional work in film, theatre and modelling by the Stagecoach Agency. Classes are for all age groups from 4-18 and you can book your two week trial by emailing richmond@ stagecoach.co.uk. (02083326741) or twickenham@stagecoach. co.uk (07824 999414).

Stagecoach Twickenham & Teddington are also taking bookings for their Spooky, Halloween workshops - children can put on a show in a week- it promises to by creepy, crazy and creative!

Book now. Spaces Limited!

Richmond Cake School

Forget ‘The Great British Bake Off’, Richmond’s first ever dedicated sugarcraft school has opened its doors to the public.

Richmond Cake School offers a tantalising variety of cake and sugar craft courses for adults, businesses and children.

From ‘Essential cake skills’ to ‘Unicorn Cupcakes’ and ‘Tiered cakes’, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’ve never picked up a whisk in your life, or you’re used to channelling your inner Mary Berry - all are welcome to don an apron, have a go and learn some fascinating new tips and techniques.

Classes bookable online at: www.richmondcakeschool.co.uk

Wet-Felting Fibre Art

Discover Wet-Felting Fibre Art. Explore what you can create with sheep’s wool, soap and water!

The pride you’ll feel when making your own piece of textiles is wonderful.The list of things to make is endless; a flower, a scarf, a bag, a hat, a picture… What ever takes your fancy you will be able to take home something beautiful. Wet-felting is physical, but therapeutic. Patience required. No sewing involved. £60 a five hour session. Some techniques take two sessions.

Dates by mutual arrangement: weekends and weekdays available.

Wimbledon Art Studios, Earlsfield, Wimbledon lesley@strawberryhillhats.co.uk

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AUTUMN 2018 darlingmagazine.co.uk

mental health

mental health

couch with Dr De-Stress On the

Dr Mariette Jansen

‘My relationship has lost its shine’

A

ent and take control of happy relationship will make you

grow as an individual, happier with life and even live longer. But... what herapist, who is an off expert in helping started blissfully romantic might have al chat to find out how help changed by she now.can The sparkle has gone and 131 irritations and negativity have taken the shine away. The good news is that, as you are half of the relationship, you have a lot of power and just making a fewhas adjustments yourself, t can be veryby difficult to prove what youare will surprised d. However, you notbe doing yourself how any powerful you are.

y obsessing about revenge. Angry and negative Most common don’t allow you to move forward.sources Your wish of unhappiness e is understandable, but it alienates you from ‘I feel forI suggest granted nds, your partner andtaken yourself. youand not respected’ metaphorically a ‘split personality’. half told what to do?

Feeling put down, One criticised, ll look for professional to deal with your it happens? Do How oldhelp do you feel when emotions. Instead of obsessing start processing you respond as the child or teenager you are up your confidence. seek made toAlso, feel?

If the so,supyou are facilitating this specialised law firm thatthrough can take over from your feelings. situation engaging advice and execute be done.factually The Next what time,can respond and not emof of you sees tionally. this experience as a life lesson, herself and focuses on the future. A new job ark a new beginning and bring new positive nt to counteract the negative experience. You l feel that he won in the end, but if you don’t Dr Mariette Jansen - Dr De-Stress - is a anges to your mindset, guess who is the loser? lifeof coach, therapist, fair, but instead fighting itEFT you are better of blogger and expert in empowering women to take from it.

ACKS?

Dr Mariette Jansen

‘The fun is gone’ Life can take over with practical issues and thingsto-do lists. Are they really the most important thing? Bring fun back by breaking the ‘serious’ cycle. Laugh more, make light of life and organise more fun things.

‘I never have enough time for me’ Change your feelings around self-care. Everyone deserves me-time but often guilt and lack of determination get in the way. Define what you need each day or week, plan your action and don’t let anything get in the way. Communicate it assertively and enjoy your time. If you want to receive Dr Jansen’s FREE guide, The mindset for ME time, text the word Darling to 07967 717131 The quality of a relationship is down to two people and each play their role. Usually one might be seen as the instigator but the other party can take control by not facilitating unwanted behaviour.

control of their lives, overcome anxiety and build confidence. She offers a FREE GUIDE, The mindset for ME time to help you transform your life.

often Dr MarietteTo receive it text Darling to 07967 717131 es for

www.drdestress.co.uk | mariette@drdestress.co.uk darlingmagazine.co.uk AUTUMN 2018

23

interiors promotion

Why BUY BESPOKE?

Q

ubeWest Interiors designs, builds and installs bespoke kitchens and furniture, and explains why bespoke kitchens are always the better choice for your home.

A kitchen is no longer simply a room where food is prepared, it’s also now a social space that can be designed to reflect you and your home. Somewhere that looks beautiful, is built to last, and allows the people in your life to come together and eat, drink, work and play.

So when choosing a new kitchen it’s important to think carefully

24

about what you want and need this space to provide. Many people now opt for a bespoke design rather than buying something off-the-shelf because it gives so much more freedom of choice, not to mention a far higher quality of materials and finish.

Personal service Clients who invest in a bespoke kitchen get a highly personalised service. At QubeWest Interiors, our kitchen designer will start by going through a checklist to discover what you really want. For example a keen cook might want extra prep space, lots of storage to keep work

AUTUMN 2018 darlingmagazine.co.uk

surfaces clutter-free, or have specific kitchen appliances in a particular place. The designer will also ask about your taste in colours, light and even artwork, which may inspire the mood and ambience of your new kitchen.

Often by asking these kinds of questions we can come up with creative ideas that you may not have considered before.

Our designer will then visit your home to take measurements.

This is where we work out what is possible in terms of design and what is not, for example installing a taller kitchen to fit in with ceiling height. This will be accommodated into the design

interiors promotion

“Often by asking questions we can come up with creative ideas that you may not have considered before.” which is then created using the latest kitchen design software.

Taking care of details If you’re installing a new kitchen as part of a larger building project then designers at QubeWest Interiors can work with your architect to ensure the overall plan and every detail and specification are spot-on.

We manufacture kitchens and furniture at our workshop in Kingston-upon-Thames, where every item is supervised throughout the building process and quality checked before installation. Our kitchens are built by skilled craftsmen using a wide choice of materials, colours, fittings and styles.

These are totally adaptable and while standard cabinets can be supplied, almost any bespoke size is available, including extra shallow and extra wide.

Discover how we can design your perfect kitchen by calling us on 020 8977 7005, visiting our Twickenham showroom, or taking a look at our website www.qubewest.co.uk

AUTUMN PROMOTION Qube West Interiors will include a Quooker hot boiling tap and a sink to all new kitchens orders of £18,500 + Just mention Darling.

QubeWest Interiors 66 Richmond Road Twickenham TW1 3BE Office: 020 8977 7005 qubewest.co.uk

Delivery and installation Bespoke kitchens are carefully installed so that they take shape exactly as they are intended. We will ensure your new, fully guaranteed kitchen is carefully delivered, unpacked and installed by our dedicated team. Once assembled and in place, a bespoke kitchen that is built to the high quality standard of QubeWest Interiors will be the heart of your home for many years to come. darlingmagazine.co.uk AUTUMN 2018

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community

RECYCLING, UPCYCLING or in need of furniture?

Richmond Furniture Scheme helps the whole community

A

re you looking to dispose of some unwanted furniture? Or are you on a low income and in need of some new furniture items? Richmond Furniture Scheme can help. The Twickenham-based charity has been part of the community since 1990. Its purpose is to re-use and recycle donated furniture and in doing so it has sustainability and community objectives at its heart.

Anyone is welcome to visit the team in Twickenham to donate furniture (collection is also available) or browse around the warehouse where stock changes on a regular basis. By donating your furniture to the scheme you are avoiding landfill and giving a new lease of life to your pre-loved items while helping others.

If you are a Richmond borough resident and on a low income, it can be difficult to find affordable furniture. With a Council award, the team will be happy to help you choose the pieces you need and like for your home. Everyone from the borough and beyond meanwhile can also pick up furniture items which are reasonably priced due to the charitable remit of the scheme.

Donate, volunteer, purchase

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Richmond Furniture Scheme is keen to reach out further in

AUTUMN 2018 darlingmagazine.co.uk

to the community. Opportunities are available for volunteers and for vulnerable people to gain new skills in the friendly environment of the office and warehouse. The team has been happy to witness people growing in confidence as they pick up new skills, both practical and social.

Another sustainable aspect of the scheme is the upcycling project Carousel. Volunteers use creativity and passion to upcycle items of donated furniture. They can also revitalise your individual furniture pieces for a small fee; the proceeds then go back in to the scheme helping others. Carousel has also been out on the road at local festivals showcasing what they do and running mini workshops.

Richmond Furniture Scheme is an inspiring place. Drop in to meet the team, discuss donating or pick up something for your home. Donations, funding and volunteers are always welcome.

Opening hours are Monday to Friday from 9:30am to 4pm and on Saturday from 10am to 4pm.

1a Fortescue Avenue, Twickenham, TW2 5LS 0208 755 4665 admin@richmondfurniturescheme.co.uk Follow us on Instagram and Facebook

charity promotion

Vineyard Community Centre helping vulnerable people in crisis

T

he Vineyard Community Centre (VCC) is a registered charity serving Richmond Borough to help meet the needs of the most vulnerable and destitute in the local community.

Darling editor met Sue Hodder, Executive Director, at the beautiful church in Richmond Hill where the centre is based.

Q: What help and services do you offer and who needs you most?

A: “The VCC provides a “morning drop-in” to those in crisis, whether by homelessness, addiction, or mental health problems.

Last year we had over 8000 visits to the Centre and helped over 200 people in crisis. The VCC is also the home of the Richmond Foodbank, providing support for over 2000 local people in crisis referred by 180 front-line care agencies.”

Q: You are also a community Centre to the local residents as well as a crisis support provider.

How do these two sides of your Centre support the different needs of your users?

A: “In the mornings we help people in crisis as a priority and in the afternoons a vibrant community café provides a warm welcome to residents, members of the business community and visitors. Our aim is social inclusion and a well-rounded

community in the Borough where people can be helped to move forward with confidence whilst gaining the skills required for employment.

One of our projects, Works of Love, is a creative enterprise aimed at local people in need of support.

It offers sewing courses, where the attendees gain an accreditation. The bags are sold in our charity shop (£7-£10) or can be commissioned for corporate events or businesses.

We are currently working on other projects together with different stakeholders in the community.”

Q: How can Richmond residents and local businesses help you to continue your work at the VCC? A: “They can spread the word about our services and come and visit us. We are grateful for donations both in kind or financial donations. Supporters can make a one-off donation (£30 buys a sleeping bag or £50 a tent for a rough sleeper, £100 pays for a nurse two mornings a week, £500 supports one homeless guest over a three-month-period). We encourage people to

VCC Christmas Café

Offering practical support at morning drop-ins

Volunteers gathered for sewing

support us on a regular basis via standing order so we can plan our income and secure the running costs (£350,000 per annum) of the Centre.

We appreciate your support!”

Visit www.vineyardcommunity. org/financial-donations

darlingmagazine.co.uk AUTUMN 2018

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legal promotion

Divorce law fact vs fiction

I

t’s a sad truth that, in my experience, many people don’t fully understand the complexity of our divorce laws. Too often when a relationship breaks down, the reality of divorce of our divorce laws can come as a shock. For example, a spouse who thinks that citing ‘irreconcilable differences’ can mean they can divorce by simple agreement may find that this is not always the case.

The existing laws surrounding divorce are old. The legislation covering divorce (the Matrimonial

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By Victoria Walker, Partner, family solicitor

Causes Act) became law over 40 years ago on 1st January 1974 at a time when the average house cost £9,927, the first McDonald’s opened in the UK, ABBA won the Eurovision song contest with Waterloo, Lord Lucan disappeared, and there was a three day week to conserve electricity due to strikes by coal miners.

So much has changed since then, yet couples going through a divorce are still trying to navigate the same law.

As the law currently stands, one party can apply for a divorce if

AUTUMN 2018 darlingmagazine.co.uk

there has been an ‘irretrievable breakdown’ of the relationship.

However, to prove this you have to rely on a ‘fact’ – which could include adultery, behaviour, two years’ separation and consent to divorce, or five years’ separation and desertion.

A good example is the recent high-profile case of Owens v Owens.

Mrs Owens started her divorce in 2015 after being married to Mr Owens for 37 years.

She relied on his behaviour as her ‘fact’ to prove that

legal promotion

Victoria Walker

the marriage had irretrievably broken down.

This required Mrs Owens to show that her husband’s behaviour was such that she could not reasonably be expected to live with him. She argued that he prioritised work over home life and would often miss family holidays and family events, that he did not provide her with love and attention or affection, and that he didn’t support her in her role of homemaker and mother.

She also said that he suffered from mood swings which caused arguments, and that he had been unpleasant and disparaging about her to their family and friends.

Mr Owens defended the divorce, something that doesn’t happen very often these days and which most lawyers would advise against. After all, if someone doesn’t want to be with you, why force them to be?

Mrs Owens’ petition was dismissed in 2016. While the judge accepted the marriage had broken down and that Mrs Owens herself could not go on living with her husband, he was not convinced that her husband had behaved in such a way that she could not reasonably be expected to live with him.

The judge decided the allegations were flimsy and

that these were minor altercations which were to be expected in a marriage.

Mrs Owens subsequently appealed, and the Court of Appeal agreed with the previous judgement, and Mrs Owen’s appeal wasn’t allowed.

In his judgment, Sir James Munby was quite blunt “It is not a ground for divorce that you find yourself in a wretchedly unhappy marriage though some people say that it should be.” Despite Mrs Owens’ unhappy situation, Sir James thought the law had been correctly applied.

So what now?

The case then went to the highest court we have, the Supreme Court, and judgment was recently handed down.

Sadly, the court decided that Mrs Owens could not have her divorce, agreeing with the previous judgments given.

However, the court did recognise that divorce legislation is out of date and that parliament should look at reform.

Unfortunately for Mrs Owens, she now has to wait until 2020 before she can try to divorce her husband again – this time on the basis of five years’ separation. It will be interesting to see if Mr

Owens tries to defend that.

This case obviously has an impact on anyone who may be considering beginning divorce proceedings. For couples with international backgrounds, we could see a race to start proceedings in the country that is of most benefit to the spouse.

In light of Owens v Owens (and in contrast to how we would have previously advised), it may be worthwhile defending a petition and having it struck out now.

Additionally, for those initiating a divorce, more detailed reasons may be required for the divorce in the admittedly unlikely event your divorce is defended.

Most importantly, the case of Mr and Mrs Owens has not only shone a light on out of date divorce legislation, it also highlights the importance of seeking sound legal advice at the earliest stage. Divorce is undoubtedly an extremely tricky time. But when handled well, it shouldn’t be a protracted battle.

Victoria Walker, Partner victoria.walker@mooreblatch.com D: 020 8334 0315 2 The Green, Richmond London TW9 1PL T: 020 8744 0766 www.mooreblatch.com

darlingmagazine.co.uk AUTUMN 2018

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photography promotion

Making your DOG an object of ART

A

beautiful and original picture is a joy to own and when the subject of that picture is your very best canine friend it is all the more special. A REX portrait is such a unique piece of art, printed with high quality inks and papers and expertly framed.

I have taken what I have learned from nearly two decades of photographing people and applied it to dogs. The result is regal and aristocratic portraits in the style of the Old Masters.

For thousands of years, artists have shown their admiration and respect for dogs by painting and carving their likenesses. During the Renaissance period royalty and the nobility commissioned paintings of their dogs as a representation of social standing and wealth, both in the context of companionship and working dogs. During the last century popularity for canine art increased significantly in established art circles rather than just antique markets, quickly becoming valuable collectors’ pieces.

Technical excellence is a given. However, winning the trust of a dog so that his expression is calm and full of confidence requires an affinity with animals

and an empathy with both owner and dog. The dogs must look alert, bright eyed and engaged in the process and I find I can achieve this even with the most nervous, and with rescue dogs who have had a troubled past. I use continuous lighting rather than flash because most dogs cannot tell the difference between flashlights and fireworks – and fireworks are frightening. I bring gorgeous backdrops which tone with your style and home. I am happy to use a piece of your own furniture so that the portrait has authenticity.

An artistically selected mount and skilfully made frame will enhance the beauty of your photograph and protect it from damage and for this level of quality I use River Crane Framing. Whether you choose a bold ornate frame or one which is a simpler surround, the frame will enable it to be placed on the wall for you to admire with pleasure and pride.

As we head into the Christmas season who do you know who would be bowled over to receive a REX portrait of their beloved hound?

REX Dog Photography | Gail Fogarty rex.gailfogarty.co.uk | 07803 004066

families

Helping Families Cope with Separation and Divorce

D

ealing with divorce or separation is a dramatic, life-changing experience for everyone.

And if you have children, navigating your way through this complex, often unpredictable, journey can prove even more challenging.

emotions, your children are observing your responses and behaviour, and depending on you to be resilient and robust, just when you’re probably finding it hard to function at your best.

While trying to resolve all the legal and financial implications of their separation, many parents find they may lose focus on how to address their children’s emotional needs.

That’s why it’s so important to find the right specialist support as early as possible - because the better you cope, the better your kids will too!

Struggle with their own ‘loss’

Kids Come First offers child-focused support & training to suit parents at every stage of their separation. Our workshops provide practical guidance and advice on how to build a better coparenting relationship and become a more positive parent.

Booking on a group or private workshop today benefits both you and your children so visit www.kidscomefirstuk.co.uk or call 0778 949 7275 for more info.

CHARITY DINNER and DANCE at the Bingham

In aid of The Victoria Foundation Thursday 11th October 2018 from 7.00pm Bingham 61- 63 Petersham Road Richmond TW10 6UT

DINNER

•

AUCTION •

DANCING

£60 per TICKET - £480 for a TABLE of 8 To order your tickets go to: www.jumblebee.co.uk/TVFdinneranddance For details contact Lorna Votier at info@thevictoriafoundation.org.uk www.thevictoriafoundation.org.uk Charity Registration Number 292841

charity

DIVING IN

Leah Chowdry from Oxshott swims the English Channel 60,000 deaths. Overall, around a quarter of people with CLL will live at least five years after diagnosis. Though an incurable condition, treatment is constantly advancing. Leah’s aim is to help raise funds to ensure research into this condition is improved and hopefully her father, and others, will be cured.

Dedicated to the cause, Leah trained every day for two hours in lakes, Dover Harbour, swimming pools and Docklands.

Some interesting facts about swimming the Channel: Made it!

O

n the 7th July 2018, Leah Chowdhry completed the amazing feat of swimming the English Channel from Dover to France, taking 14 hours and 44 minutes. What makes this more remarkable is that Leah is one of the first British Asian women to do this challenge.

Local girl Leah has already raised £135,000 to help projects in India designed to educate young girls and end child sex trafficking and Cancer Research UK following her father’s diagnosis with Leukaemia two years ago.

The 26-year-old businesswoman by day has already defied the odds as the average age of a swimmer is 35. Only 1,833

32

• More people have climbed Mount Everest people have completed the 24-mile-long Channel swim which takes around 15 hours to complete.

Leah first witnessed a six-yearold cradling a baby and begging on the streets of India for food when she was around the same age. She was disturbed by the harsh reality that a girl of a similar age was protecting and nurturing another life, when both should have been cared for. This was a catalyst for her commitment to raising money for girls in India.

Then two years ago, Leah’s father was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL). It’s a condition that affected nearly 900,000 people globally in 2015 and resulted in around

AUTUMN 2018 darlingmagazine.co.uk

• Likely water temperature will be 14-18°C but could be as low as 6°C and night time air temperature is likely to be 10.6-13.9°C • The English Channel is one of the world’s busiest shipping regions. Due to the complications of avoiding tankards in the shipping channels and catching the tide at the right time, Leah ended up having to swim over 30 miles rather than the 26 miles that it would have been in a straight line • There are six species of jellyfish, one of which can be extremely painful and sometimes fatal. Leah was stung several times (there are six species). Leah said,

“More people have climbed Mount Everest”

Photography Leah Chowdhry

Leah finishes her swim

Leah in the middle of the Channel

“The jellyfish just wrapped themselves around my face and arms and I was literally battling to rip them of me.

I was left with lacerations which were extremely painful” • According to the Channel Swim Association restrictions, no physical contact is allowed with the swimmer, so energy drinks were passed to Leah

on a float attached to a lead every half an hour • Hypothermia is a big risk and there have also been some deaths • Dedicated to the cause, Leah trained every day for two hours in lakes, Dover Harbour, swimming pools and Docklands

A compassionate person since a child, Leah gave up fizzy drinks and sweets to raise money for blind children in India at the age of seven; worked in an orphanage at the age of 17 and raised £11,000 running the London Marathon.

For more information, contact leah@leahc.co.uk or 07956 007821

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charity

Squaring the Circle Holly Candlish talks to Suzanne Ruggles about her pioneering work for Full Circle Therapies

Suzanne Ruggles

Gabby in paediatrics

T

this came to an end when she contracted the lifethreatening disease, lupus, and experienced a massive wake up call.

Suzanne had come far. Back in the 90s, Suzanne was a celebrated gallery owner in the Kings Road, representing international artists and designing furniture. All

“Like everyone else, I had no strategies to deal with the stress of serious illness, this was an era before mindfulness,” says Suzanne. “Typical treatment for lupus is steroids and chemo but my mum suggested some complementary medicine energy therapy and reflexology - which put me in an incredible state of peace. It was like being in a bubble; what the experts call ‘remembered wellness’. I learnt breathing techniques and stress responses and managed to avoid harsher forms of treatment.”

reatment for blood diseases and cancer can be a long battle, with very sick people enduring lengthy treatments and debilitating procedures.

Possessing such low immune systems that even the common cold is deadly, patients are placed in total isolation with limited contact to loved ones and the outside world. This is the depressed scene that Suzanne Ruggles faced, and vowed to change, when she started work as a hospital administrator at St Georges.

34

AUTUMN 2018 darlingmagazine.co.uk

Suzanne was so impressed with the treatments that she sought them out for herself.

Over the following three years she embarked on a journey to educate herself, learning a raft of different skills including energy medicine, NLP and reflexology. She studied the science of mind-body at Harvard Medical School, eventually graduating with a Masters in Science from St George’s, University of London.

“I sold my business. That Christmas I took a low paid role at St George’s Hospital.

The irony was one month before I was flying to Rome to meet Gorbachev, now I was meeting a very different type of courageous people.”

charity

Photography Paul Martin

Suzanne with Jo and Mic in haematology

Suzanne was overwhelmed by the conditions she found on the ward. Patients were confined to sealed rooms with bare walls and not even a garden to look onto. There was no psychological help, the patients were in for weeks and sometimes months. Suzanne describes the doctors and nurses as ‘beautiful souls, doing amazing work,’ but she knew that she possessed managerial skills that could improve the wellbeing of the patients. The moment of bringing her project to reality would still be a long way off.

She toured the ward in her admin role, asking patients what they wanted for dinner, and gauging what they needed for their soul.

Before long Suzanne had 27 projects on the go including a Japanese garden, artwork for the walls and TVs for each room after Curry’s were ‘persuaded’ to donate TVs and DVD players. Staff and patients recognised that Suzanne Ruggles was a force to be reckoned who achieved stunning results through warmth and grace.

in the balance. Her family were told to prepare for the worst. As her condition worsened, exhausted from relentless pain and hallucinations and lack of sleep, she realised she was floating up towards the ceiling. She made one last desperate attempt to live. That moment changed everything, and a new chapter began.

For the past 18 years, Suzanne has built a team of hand-picked therapists in St George’s Hospital practicing reflexology, clinical hypnotherapy, reiki and mindfulness and set up the charity, Full Circle Fund Therapies, which aims to

help a patient feel human when so much has been taken away. The fund has won NHS awards for their work in haematology and paediatrics and this year expands to Brighton and the Evelina Children’s Hospital. Suzanne’s stint at Harvard left her better equipped to provide clinical evaluation of their work. Their reports add to the growing body of evidence that supportive therapy interventions such as infant massage for hospitalised babies and reflexology, massage therapy or relaxation training for patients with cancer and chronic pain has a positive impact on symptom relief, improving the ability of very sick patients to cope with the anxiety of their illness.

Suzanne remains a woman with a sense of purpose and describes herself as an entrepreneur. ‘I never felt like a do-gooder, never imagined I’d have a charity,’ she says, ‘it was just something that was always meant to be.’

For more information or to make a donation contact: fullcirclefund.org.uk Kasia in haematology

Her sense of ‘being guided’ grew ever stronger until the day came when she was admitted to St George’s with a deadly form of meningitis.

She knew then her life hung

darlingmagazine.co.uk AUTUMN 2018

35

fitness

Keeping St Margarets moving Movers & Shapers evolves into Rize

A

lthough Movers & Shapers first opened its doors in St Margarets in 2015, as a brand, it has in fact been around for over 10 years.

They were the real pioneers of the boutique fitness studio boom that has taken the country by storm.

Movers & Shapers pioneered the inclusion of the Powerplate, and specialised in offering small group exercise classes. They say their ethos has always been to provide a welcoming space, that feels comfortable for women (without being ladies only) relaxed for men, and supportive of family fitness. Arianna, the manager told us “We have members who work-out with their partners, take turns to have some me time, or bring the whole family to build a love of feeling fit.”

36

Times change however and the team behind Movers & Shapers realised that it was time for a refresh of not only their physical space but also the classes they offer and the very brand itself. In the coming months, they will be completely rebranding and taking on the new name of Rize.

Unlike most boutique studios they offer a wide range of class styles so there is no danger of getting bored. You could do a full body strike on Mondays to get you in the mood for your week, and ease into the weekend with a candlelit yoga session.

They are committed to providing more of a relaxed, but no less effective group exercise class. They want people to workout at Rize because they want to make a habit out of feeling good, and liking the people you get fit with.

Win a 10-session class pack worth £149 at Movers & Shapers (St Margarets).

They keep classes to a size that is sociable and allows their trainers to be more focused on the individual.

AUTUMN 2018 darlingmagazine.co.uk

COMPETITION

Simply tell us what year Movers & Shapers opened in St Margarets.

Email your answer to stmargarets @moversandshapers.co.uk Winner announced in October

technology

The future is ELECTRIC and a lot greener than the grey haze colouring our city skies now

By Marja-Leena Toseland

I

’m sitting in an übercool Tesla Model S outside Richmond Station with Fiona Howarth, CEO of Octopus Electrical Vehicles. It’s Clean Air Day and Fiona and her team are here to promote electric vehicles. She is passionate to see a big switch from the fossil fuel driven cars, that are choking us on our urban streets, and causing illnesses such as asthma, to greener and cleaner alternatives.

What is going to make private car users to switch to electric models?

Fiona: “Electric cars now offer a real option for most users, from sporty high-end Tesla models to very affordable family cars. The batteries last up to 170-300 miles with one charge and rapid charging points are easy to find thanks to apps such as Zap Map. All UK motorway service stations now have rapid EV chargers which power up

Photo by James Turner

Our editor with Fiona Howarth in Richmond

a battery in as little as 20-30 minutes. The best way to get a feel for electric vehicles is to test drive one. They are a pleasure to drive, very responsive, have plenty of boot space as the traditional engine space is available too, and are really economical to run.

There are even more savings to be made with Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology which allows EV owners to use the electric-

ity from their car to support the grid at times of peak demand. So, you can charge your battery up off-peak, in the middle of a sunny day and no one’s home to use it, and then at peak times (between 4 and 7pm) you can give this back to the grid, give it back to your neighbours, so that they can also be running off renewable energy.”

How did you get into renewable energy?

Fiona: “I love technology and what it can do for us. I was really interested early on to find alternatives to fossil fuels. It seemed like the obvious thing to do since they are running out. The fact that alternatives are a much greener way forward is a brilliant incentive to switch to renewable energy.”

For more information go to octopusev.com

darlingmagazine.co.uk AUTUMN 2018

37

onthescene onthescene

with editor Marja-Leena Toseland with editor Marja-Leena Toseland

'ONE GOOD THING' FASHION EVENT AT THE LOUNGE, TWICKENHAM STUDIOS, IN AID OF 'ONE GOODSTAR THING' FASHION EVENT AT THE LOUNGE, TWICKENHAM IN AID OF SHOOTING CHASE Photos bySTUDIOS, Loukia Photography SHOOTING STAR CHASE Photos by Loukia Photography

Model Brigid McGaw with event Model Brigid curator Kerry McGaw Nixon. with event curator Kerry Nixon.

Heart & Capital FM DJ Kat Snoob provided Heart & Capital music FM DJ Kat Snoob provided music

Eagle FM Beverley Hunter compered the event Eagle FM at Beverley Hunter compered at the event

Shooting Star Chase Patron Shooting Bond Star Chase Patron of Samantha with Director Samantha Bond with Director of Fundraising Development, Karen Fundraising Development, Karen Sugarman Sugarman

KATHARINE LE HARDY & PAUL SMITH 'FIELD NOTES: PAINTING THE ANTHROPOCENE' AT KATHARINE LE HARDY & PAUL SMITH 'FIELD NOTES: PAINTING THE ANTHROPOCENE' AT ONE PAVED COURT ONE PAVED COURT

Lou Tassle (Optimal Vitality), Desiree Shepherd (The Vineyard Community Lou Tassle (Optimal Vitality), Desiree Centre) and(The MaisVineyard Haddadin Shepherd Community Centre) and Mais Haddadin

Hanna ten Doornkaat, Caragh Savage and Hanna ten Doornkaat, Caragh Savage and Paul Smith Paul Smith

Frances Bennett, Katharine Le Hardy Frances Bennett, Katharine Le Hardy and Jane Anthony and Jane Anthony

Jane Jamieson, Charmaine Stimson and Jane Jamieson, Judith North Charmaine Stimson and Judith North

'REFLECTIONS' AT PEMBROKE LODGE 'REFLECTIONS' AT PEMBROKE LODGE IN AID OF THE HOLLY LODGE CENTRE IN AID OF THE HOLLY LODGE CENTRE

Mary Pollard, Anna King (Manager, Holly Mary Pollard, KingHillman (Manager, Lodge Centre),Anna Richard and Holly Grayzna Lodge Centre), Richard Hillman and Grayzna Hillman Hillman

Performers: Giles Abbott, Wendy Partridge, David Perkins, Dino Performers: Giles Wendy Partridge, David Philipa Perkins, Dino Smith Baptiste, Alison Hill,Abbott, Kathryn Hide, Robert Byford, Poulton Baptiste, Hill, Kathryn Hide, Robert Byford, Philipa Poulton Smith and Linda Alison Readman and Linda Readman

MOMENTUM WON 'THE TOAST OF SURREY' NOT-FOR-PROFIT MOMENTUM WON 'THE TOAST OF SURREY' NOT-FOR-PROFIT AWARD AWARD

Nicola O'Donnell collecting Nicola O'Donnell collecting the award the award

Tara MacDowel, Kate Brookes, Jane Hawes, Tara MacDowel, Jane Hawes, Nicola O'Donnell,Kate SarahBrookes, Walsh, Natalie Nicola O'Donnell, Sarah Walsh, Natalie Harvey and Maria Stoney Harvey and Maria Stoney

LADY WIMBLEDON LADY WIMBLEDON TENNIS PARTY AT TENNISDU PARTY HOTEL VIN AT HOTEL DU VIN

WHAT'S HOT WHAT'S HOT

Anthropologie, Botanica Wrap Anthropologie, Dress, £138 Botanica Wrap Dress, £138

House of Fraser, Vince HouseCamuto of Fraser, Boots, £99 Vince Camuto Boots, £99

Eyes of Lady W bloggers: Flora, Sunna, Becca, Eyes Wimbledon of Lady W bloggers: Sunna, Becca, Lady (middle),Flora, May, Charlotte Lady Wimbledon (middle), May, Charlotte Broadbent and Angel Broadbent and Angel

Hotel du Vin team: Annie Hotel du Vin team: Annie Ward, Charlotte Rayner Ward, Rayner and GMCharlotte Emma Dore and GM Emma Dore

Matches Fashion, See

by Chloe Bag, Matches Fashion, See by Chloe£295 Bag, £295

Topshop, Suedette Biker Jacket, £49 Topshop, Suedette Biker Jacket, £49 H&M, Balconette £14.99 H&M,Bra, Balconette Bra, £14.99

Suzy Wood, Lynsey Coleman, Grant Bickell, Suzy Wood, Lynsey Grant Bickell, Danielle Brickell LadyColeman, Wimbledon Danielle Brickell Lady Wimbledon

WIN A bespoke facial with LED Light Treatment at facial EF MEDISPA WIN A bespoke with LEDinLight Richmond, Tweet/ Treatmentworth at EF £200.

MEDISPA in Facebook: Richmond, @LadyWimbledon worth £200. Tweet/ Facebook: @LadyWimbledon

Karine Torr (Darling Magazine), KarineMitchell Torr (Darling Jackie and ourMagazine), editor Jackie Mitchell and our editor

AT THE LENSBURY WITH AT THE LENSBURY WITH RICHMOND CHAMBER OF RICHMOND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Vicki Sharp Photography COMMERCE Vicki Sharp Photography

Reiss, Ando Sunglasses, £105 Stay cool in autumn sun £105 Reiss, Ando Sunglasses, Stay cool in autumn sun

Polly (The King's Head in Polly (The King's Head inand Teddington), our editor Teddington), our editor and Sally Boulton (The Lensbury) Sally Boulton (The Lensbury)

ladywimbledon.com ladywimbledon.com @ladywimbledon @ladywimbledon #LadyWimbledon #LadyWimbledon

NC SUPPER CLUB

Karine Torr, Salima Manji, Alex Jorge (Master Chef finalist '18), Karyn Noble and May Simpkin

Darling Editors: Marja-Leena and Karine Torr

Jessica Heath with her cookery book Ceylove

MARKET HOUSE HATS AND VINTAGE FASHION POPUP

AdamOutram, Standing, Daniela Capetti, Alisha Pandya, Ellie Jessica Brown, Wayne Collins, and Leslie James Pleass and of Charlie Selwyn Claridge (owner Queeny of England)

Our editor Marja-Leena and milliner Bee Smith

KINGSTON BUSINESS EXPO ORGANISED BY KINGSTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Lesley Vernon and Shabnam Ali, Royal Borough of Kingston

Jerry Irving, CEO/Kingston Chamber of Commerce; Anu West, Prabha Shetty, Wanda McFarlane and Amanda McLaughlin

Sarah Cornes, Natalie Crew and exhibitor from Fun Photos UK

Lucy ChoiTomlin, outside NatWest her boutique Rochelle wiht andour Tonieditor Flatt, Worldpay

Aisha Sadiq (Esque Parfum) Cordell DeBardeLaben (Funky Sole London)

Sara Whitman and our editor Marja Leena

CROWN ROAD SUMMER FAIR IN ST MARGARETS

Adrian Sutherland, our editor Marja-Leena and Gianluca di Monaco (Le Salon Privé)

Beth Huett (owner) and Rachel Cowley - Dolly Rock

Susan Roster (Secret Wardrobe) and Lyndsay Russell

Sunny Vohra (owner of Twickenham Studios), Marja-Leena Toseland, Amrit Sethi, Natalie Hawthorne, Craig Irving and Carina Maggar

Above: Gabriel Kennedy, Hannah Milne and Liam Rock - Turks Head

ROOFTOP TERRACE AT THE LOUNGE, TWICKENHAM STUDIOS

Estelle Hardy (The Soap Shack) and Holly Tucker (Holly & Co)

Movers & Shapers stand: Hannah Gandon, Martha and Arlo Avens with Arianna Billines

Nicol Smith and Anastasia Natalie Hawthorne (GM at The Lounge, Vakhrameeva Lyndsay Russell, Anu West and Marja-Leena)

CLEAN AIR DAY IN RICHMOND WITH OCTOPUS ELECTRICAL VEHICHLES

KISS THE HIPPO TASTING EVENT

Roosa Jalonen (Master Coffee Roaster), Matthew Orchard (Head Roaster), Maya Zara (Creative Design) and Cjan Eren (founder)

Fiona Howarth, CEO Octopus Electrical Vehicles with Marja-Leena Toseland

JESSICA HUIE LAUNCHED HER BOOK PURPOSE AT WATERSTONES

Brigette Radloff and Rachael Russell

Kwame Springer (Jessica's husband), Tara Belton and Sarika Pugla

Jessica Huie and our editor MarjaLeena

TWICKENHAM FESTIVAL - CHURCH STREET TURNED GREEN

Simon Good, Brigitte Jones, Jill Papworth and Mandy Rippon; Richmond Furniture

Carlo Orza, owner of Linpopo Biltong with our editor

Hina Pajwani, Jen Impett, Rosy Burness and Atlanta St John - Harlequinn Women players

Raph Thomas (artist) and Kate, owner 1of1 Design

Christine MacKinnon, Suzie Dojkovski and Sophie King, owner of The Bloomery

Romina Pozzi, owner Corto Italian Delicatessen

Rachel Nicholson and Jo Senior, owner of Mojo

Jefferson St John and Riccardo Garcia, owner of Riccardo's Cellar

THE ATHENA NETWORK - WOMEN IN BUSINESS CELEBRATED AT RICHMOND GATE HOTEL

Lisa Woodward and Charmaine Mace The Athena Network Regional Direcors for Barnes and Richmond Boroughs)

Mary Sini, Isabel Neuwirth, Nuria Outeiral and Jane Curzon - The Victoria Foundation ambassadors

Margaret Guillen (business coach), Mariette Jansen (Dr De-Stress), Koo Anand (CoCo Hair & Beauty), Jane Curzon and Nuria Outeiral (both from The Victoria Foundation)

Mariette Jansen, Jaishree Manani (tarot cards) and Veronica Congdon (architect)

Sally Baker and Alina Tierney

Lizzie Shalliker and Patricia Campbell-Parker (Vital Wellbeing)

Valerie McBride-Munro (Auntie Planty), Yvonne Beach (Iceland Traveller), Joy Barden, Julia Jones (Iceland Traveller) and Anne Stanton (Captain Tortue)

Claire Darby (Pearson Hards Solicitors), Lou Tassell (Optimal Vitality) and Sue Harper (Rivercrane Framing)

Richmond Run Fest Kew Gardens 10k Sat 15 Sept Half and full marathons, Sun 16 Sept London’s most exclusive race, the only run within Kew Gardens. richmondrunfest.com THE LOUNGE, TWICKENHAM STUDIOS Open Afternoons 22 and 29 Sept, 3-6pm membership @twickenhamstudios.com ORLEANS HOUSE GALLERY Early 20th century and the role of women as consumers of the new types of art 11 Sept, 1:15-2:30pm Tickets £15

RICHMOND THEATRE

KEW GARDENS

Still Alice Tue 18 - Sat 22 Sept

Here Be Dragons (family friendly) Until 30 Sept

Sara Pascoe: Ladsladslads 1 Oct, 7:30pm

Climb the Great Pagoda Until 30 Sept

Alan Bennett’s The Habit of Art Mon 15 - Sat 20 Oct

Temperate Treasures Tour Daily at 12 and 2:30pm

An Audience with Simon Reeve 4 Nov, 7:30pm

kew.org

Rain Man 5 - 10 Nov

HAM POLO CLUB

The Magic of Motown 25 Nov, 7:30pm For full listings and tickets: atgtickets.com THE ORANGE TREE THEATRE Losing Venice 7 Sept - 20 Oct

The Pottery Class 12 Sept - 10 Oct

Philip Glenister and John Simm in conversation 16 Sept

Extraordinary Women Tour 15 - 16 Sept

Dealing with Clair 28 Oct - 1 Dec

Life Drawing Masterclass 22 Sept

For full listings and tickets: orangetreetheatre.co.uk

English Portraiture: Mr & Mrs Andrews, Thomas Gainsborough 30 Oct

THE VICTORIA FOUNDATION

For full listings and tickets: orleanshousegallery.org THE NORMANSFIELD THEATRE, TEDDINGTON Carmen 15 Sept, 7:30-10pm Richmond Opera: Acis and Galatea, and Don Quixote chez la Duchesse Fri 9, Sat 10, and Sun 11 Nov A double-bill of Handel’s tale of tragic love, Acis and Galatea, and Boismortier’s comedy Don Quixote chez la Duchesse.

Tickets £15 Teddington Artists Art Fair 29 - 30 Sept, 10am - 5pm Christmas Craft Fair 24 Nov, 11am - 4:30pm langdondowncentre.org.uk

Charity Dinner and Dance at the Bingham 11 Oct, 7pm Tickets £60 Exclusive Charity Fashion & Shopping Evening at L.K. Bennett 18 Oct Annual Winter Ball Sat 8 Dec Twickenham Stadium thevictoriafoundation.org.uk HOLLY LODGE CENTRE Richmond Park Open Day Sun 28 Sept Quiz Night Fri 19 Oct Christmas Concert Wed 5 Dec thehollylodgecentre.org.uk

UoLPC's Annual Charity Polo Event in aid of Ebony Horse Club Sat 29 Sept, 12noon - 5:30pm hampoloclub.com EEL PIE CLUB Tribute to Memphis Slim Thursday 4 October The Downliners Sect Thursday 18 October The Good Old Boys Thursday 1 November The Rollin' Stoned Thursday 15 November Paul Lamb & The King Snakes Thursday 29 November The Patch, 67 London Road, Twickenham TW1 3SZ Doors 8:30pm. Music 9-11pm (unless otherwise advertised) Tickets: Cash on door or by credit card via eelpieclub.com THE POSH MUM CLUB My Beauty & Health event Sun 14 Oct, 11am - 3pm Speakers: Princess, Dr Nauf Al Bendar, EF Medispa and Sadie Reid, Editor at Hip&Healthy The Petersham Hotel, Nightingale Lane, Richmond TW10 6UZ Tickets £25 (incl. a fabulous goody bag + EF Medispa mini facial): poshmummy@outlook.com

AUTUMN BRIDGE With Darling bridge guru, Paul Mendelson

bridge

Bridge is being played all over Wimbledon morning, noon and, without question, night.

This hand comes from a late night/early Richmond morning game of rubber bridge.

♠

North S 54 H AQ64 D 6432 C 875

West S 7 H 987 D 10985 C AKQ43

South S AKJ1086 H KJ2 D A C J106

♦ Dealer South N E 1NT

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NB

N/S Game S 1S 4S

♥ East S Q932 H 1053 D KQJ7 C 92

♣

W NB

West led ♣AKQ and then switched to 10♦, which South won. The contract now rests on how South tackles his trump suit. Unfortunately for the declarer, he made a common mistake and it cost him the rubber. He laid down A♠, and then crossed to dummy’s A♥. He led a low spade and, when East played low, he finessed with J♠. This held the trick, but West showed out. With no other trump in dummy, declarer had to concede Q♠ to East.

If South had held nine cards between his two hands, laying down A♠ initially – in case West held a singleton Q♠ – would be the correct play but, with only eight cards between his two hands, the singleton Q♠ with West is most unlikely, whereas the 4-1 split will occur like this more often than one in ten times. The correct play therefore is to cross to dummy’s Q♥ and lead a low spade, finessing with 10♠. When this works, return to dummy with A♥ and finesse spades again. Now, when South lays down ♠AK, East’s Q♠ will fall and the game and rubber will be his. aceoftrumps.com

darlingmagazine.co.uk AUTUMN 2018

45

point of view

TITANIC problems with the builder I

’m renovating a 60ft houseboat in Chertsey, and it’s been a sea of trouble.

Enter Seb. A strong Polish builder who “loves boats” and worked like a galley slave on the decorating and woodwork. He offered support, enthusiasm and cigarettes. I thought; found him on one of those websites that rates builders to save us from Cowboys. Alas, turned out I needed one to save me from Pirates.

BEWARE: I posted the contract, and sent it to five, all with over 70 five star reviews… unaware that other builders can see your advert and simply pay £60 to the site to have your contact. I just assumed he was one of The Chosen Crew.

After six weeks of work devotion, Seb came to me crying his car was surrounded by bailiffs. Could I pay the loan sharks direct £2,135 and he would finish the skylights in return asap. We had plans to do up other boats as a team. He had previously told me his wife had cancer, and he was struggling. How could I say ‘no’? Not that long after, he started ‘disappearing’.. He had a sinus operation.

46

AUTUMN 2018 darlingmagazine.co.uk

His tools were stolen. He was at hospital for tests with his wife. Then he slipped and hurt his ankle.

“I’ve no boat insurance” he confessed, despite saying he had £2,000,000 cover. By the time he said his wife was “taking him out the whole day for his birthday as it might be their last one ever”, I said I'd had enough. He’d only just told me he couldn’t come the day before, because his phone had been stolen. I saw he was on Whats App only 3 minutes earlier.

Trouble was, in his con to extract even more money for materials, he’d raced ahead to build a deck and ripped off 8 solar panels. Did I mention I own an electric boat? That meant no showers, toilets, running water, heating or lights. Current cost £800 for an engineer - who still can’t get them going. With his ‘snagging list’ of 150 items, I’m down about 4k. Worse, yesterday I opened up the 15ft hold to see he’d used it as a secret rubbish tip.

Filled to the brim with rubble, planks, foam… and empty cigarette packets. If I ever see him again, he will be forced to walk the plank, keel-hauled and fed to Moby Dick. I’m on my half-painted deck with my spyglass and hook, every morning.

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