Darling Magazine Wimbledon

darling feb – mar 2013 free

A Brand Called Alice Alice Wood Inspires

mad as a potter Artist & Entrepreneur David Birch

That Was My Space!

Kate’s Nosey Parkers

Wimbledon’s Big Wheel

Neil Ferris, Musical Director It All Adds Up Lisa Conway’s Financial Advice

Awesome Aurora Singer, Songwriter, Fashionista

Putting Their Stamp on It Aquatintbsc Makes Olympic History

PLUS: Gripping Stuff – Organic Beauty From Grip • Take a Bow, Jack – The Pride of Our Rugby Schools • Sleep It Off – Restorative Therapy • Stephanie Upton-Prowse has gone Dotty! • Lucky for Some – Tips for ‘13 from Hart Brown • Intelligent Movement – with the Pilates Clinic • Grand Makeovers – by Jason the Builder • Nutriberry – Just What the Doctor Ordered • Aunty Planty’s Daffodils • Bring Hollywood Home – Techniquest’s Spectacular Showroom • Bridge – with Paul Mendelson • Never Too Old to Arabesque – New Adult Ballet Classes • The Social Scene, Diary Dates & Darling Hotspots

wimbledon’s magazine for local women | www.darlingmagazine.co.uk

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darlingmagazine.co.uk | nov-jan 2013

3

Family IS AT THE HEART OF EVERYTHING WE DO

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30 MINUTE INITIAL CONSULTATION

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editor’s letter

Photograph: Icaro

Dear Darling Reader

Cover Girl Aurora Colson Cover photography by Aurora Colson

Publisher Darling Magazine UK Karine Torr Editor Darling Wimbledon Karine Torr 020 8739 0059 Advertising 07930 396356 Email info@darlingmagazine.co.uk

The January snow has melted away as quickly as any southern summer tan. Stripped of their festive lights, the streets and the trees outside my window look as bare as the bones of that Christmas turkey. And far worse than the news that feral foxes have taken to attacking the Uggs of unsuspecting pedestrians in Putney are these gloomy predictions that we’re going to be talking about Europe for the next five years. But cheer up, darlings, it’s a brand new year; the days, they say, are getting longer, and we’ve prepared the perfect tonic to put Spring in your step.

Filled to the brim with music and make-overs, show-offs and showrooms, potters and pas de deux’s, this issue kicks off with cover girl Aurora Colson, Alice Wood’s inspiring background and a story about the legend that is The London Pottery Co. Dashing Neil Ferris, the darling of the Wimbledon Choral Society, our new financial adviser, the glamorous Lisa Conway bringing us down to earth and untangling our purse strings. There’s health, jewellery trends, gardening and building make-overs but to round it off there’s the best medicine of all, Kate’s unmissable tirade on nosey parkers.

Happy daffodils all round! And don’t forget...

Karine Torr Editor | info@darlingmagazine.co.uk

Contributor Kate Greenhalgh Photography Taylor Torr Editor Darling Cobham & Esher Philippa Hennessy 07772 633339 Design Director Hermina Williams design@herminawilliams.com Talitha Minchin talitha@talithadesigns.co.uk Printer Aquatint/bsc jane@aquatintbsc.co.uk Distribution Three Colours Ltd info@3colours.co.uk 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.

Darling-Wim_Feb-Mar 2013.indd 5

CONTENTS 6 8 11 12 15 17 19 21 23 26 31 33 34 37 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46

A brand called ‘you’ - Alice Wood, sheer inspiration The London Pottery Co on our doorstep - with David Birch New ‘Adult Ballet’ exercise class with dancer, Vanessa Fenton Chanteuse Aurora Colson graces our cover and our village Coming to grips with organics at Grip on Ridgway Lisa Conway-Hughes with sound financial advice Pilates techniques - strong on rehabilitation Taking Wimbledon Choral Society to new heights - Neil Ferris Schools in the News - Rugby treat for young Jack Reid New Darling launches. ‘On the Scene’ was there Health and wellbeing that will magnetise you Olympic stamps - Wimbledon’s best kept secret Hart Brown on your lucky breaks for 2013 Shake-ups and Make-Overs with our builder Jason Techniquest - European leaders in home technology Paul Mendelson’s ever popular bridge column Auntie Planty and her favourites - daffodils in spring Darling Magazine Hotspots - get a copy here Sarah Wilson - diagnostic testing for your nutritional needs Diary page - What’s On gems, not to be missed Classified page - special services Our pet hate subject...parking! Kate Greenhalgh rants on

darlingmagazine.co.uk | feb-mar 2013

5

28/01/2013 11:21

inspiring woman

You are your

Brand!

Alice Wood - San Diego to Southpark Gardens & still at the top after 38 years in Wimbledon

I

’m a Californian by birth – and a Londoner by choice.

Well, I say choice, but the decision was really made when I met an Englishman in San Diego. He says I gatecrashed his birthday party; I say a mini-skirt and a bottle of wine was all the invitation needed in those days.

Forty years later, the marriage is still going strong – the mini-skirt is not.

Within 2 years I became a media planner/buyer for McCann Erickson. Advertising in the late 70s was fun. We worked hard and played hard!

I moved to London in the early 70s and it was a very different city then. The edgy energy and political unrest were a huge culture shock for a laid back California girl.

Building a career in a foreign country is a challenge, but I’ve always been a very positive person and was determined to make a success of my new home.

So I threw myself into London life and built my career from the bottom up, starting as a secretary in an advertising agency.

6

When I had my first daughter, I decided to move into magazine publishing. I was appointed Promotions Director for Good Housekeeping magazine running a creative/sales team that produced advertising promotions for clients in beauty, fashion, cars, travel, food and just about every advertising sector.

feb-mar 2013 | darlingmagazine.co.uk

After 8 years and a second daughter, I moved to Emap as Group Publisher for their newly acquired parenting titles. My job was to revitalise what, at the time, was a neglected market. I employed new editorial teams who went on to win awards for these titles.

By now, I was ready to try running my own business, so I decided to set up a promotions company creating advertorials for international magazines.

The decision became a reality when I secured a major piece of business giving me the finance and confidence to do it. I won an exclusive contract with Hello! magazine and worked with great clients in some very glamorous locations.

Thirty-eight years on from my career start in London and I’m now owner of Inspiring Women UK, sharing my brand communication skills and business expertise with women running their own businesses.

Photograph: Julia Boggio Studios

Cannizaro House have generously supported my charity fundraising; local networking groups, like Athena and Wimbledon Women in Business, have been invaluable for business and friendships.

Olympia, Glam-Ma Alice and daughter Emily

I run regular Business Growth half-day workshops and Brand Bite Coffee Mornings, where women can learn a new communication skill every month such as social media, marketing, presentation and networking.

Workshops for everyone working with an exclusive collection of French designed clothes called Miss Captain. I chose this range because they design beautiful, affordable clothes to flatter all sizes.

Because personal style is also a key part of how we communicate (and fashion is my guilty pleasure), I also offer Style

No one achieves success on their own and I couldn’t have achieved what I have without the support of local friends and businesses.

Jane Plan delivers deliciously healthy, beautifully balanced meals, tailored to your needs, direct to your door. Specially prepared and portion controlled for weight loss.

Who would have predicted all that for a 20 year old beach girl from San Diego?

To attend the next Business Growth Workshop on 25 February go to: www.inspiringwomenuk.com For Style Workshops contact Alice on: alice@inspiringwomenuk.com To see the Miss Captain fashion collection go to: www.captaintortuegroup.com

Special Offer: Half price cut and colour Stephen was ‘Tony’ at Headmasters Wimbledon Village for 20 years and has now started up his new Project B Salon.

Weight loss, want results? We deliver!

Free delivery in your area, quote Darling

www.janeplan.com mydiet@janeplan.com 020 8127 4543

Tel: 02089465120 364 Coombe Lane www.projectbhair.com

header

MAD AS A POTTER David Birch talks to Editor Karine Torr about the iconic brand which was born just around the corner

At the outset, with a small pilot kiln in the conservatory, original prototype pieces were designed for mass production, initially in Stoke-on-Trent factories and then from 1983 in the Far East.

In that same year the company expanded, moving into newly acquired studio premises on Kingston Road, where they are today, still proudly displaying a large archive of past glories.

T

he London Pottery Co Ltd was set up on the kitchen table of a Merton Park semi-detached home of David & Brigitte Birch in 1981.

David’s ceramic background included seven years at art school culminating in an M.A. from the Royal College of Art. Brigitte’s contribution as a qualified financial controller and book keeper helped to keep the newly established company’s finances under careful control.

8

Every corner shop up and down the country has a story to tell in its dealings with the public. The London Pottery shop, which is now unfortunately closed to the public, is situated on the corner of Kirkley Road and Kingston Road in Wimbledon. It has been here for the past twenty five years plus, selling predominantly teapots. In its heyday Brigitte served in the shop, ladling out homemade soup - yes soup! - with a heap of sympathy thrown in, to any customer who she felt was in need of it. One didn’t even have to buy a teapot to qualify! The

feb-mar 2013 | darlingmagazine.co.uk

Salvation Army directly opposite could have taken lessons!

Comments from customers down the years included the lady who, having just come out of hospital, visited the pottery shop “to cheer herself up”. She loved the collection of approximately 200 novelty teapots that was then on sale.

Another lady put a note through the letter box telling them that the only thing that made the slow moving traffic tolerable along the “dreary Kingston Road” was the sight of their well stocked and brightly lit shop display.

Along with worldwide sales of the teapots, were coffee mills also designed by David. In 2004 Brigitte travelled on holiday to Japan with their son Joshua. Whilst walking in the backstreets of Kyoto, in a shop window they saw a London Pottery coffee grinder for sale. They entered the shop and introduced themselves.

header

The delight of the shop owner to meet the wife and son of the designer was simply wonderful.

The original pottery specialised in food containers and, in particular, a functional cliptop canister which could be personalised for high volume users like Twinings/ Harrods/ Fortnum & Mason for the packing of tea and coffee. Other food jars that were designed included lidded stoneware stilton jars. The high volume end clients for these included Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury and Morrisons, still an

important part of the company’s current activities.

An exhibition last year at The Design Museum, in celebration of Sir Terence Conran’s 80th birthday, included a large display of stacked red “Globe” teapots.

Conran’s stores, such as Heals, Habitat and Conran, had been early stockists of the brand back in the mid-80’s.

The London Pottery Co Ltd continues to expand. Last year an agreement was signed with a large Canadian company to distribute the London Pottery brand to an account base of over 7000 U.S retailers.

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Get fit doing ballet!

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She has performed worldwide, including theatres such as The Paris Opera, La Scala Milan, The Metropolitan New York, in the far East and many others.

She has choreographed many pieces for the Royal Ballet, The Royal Ballet school, The London Children's Ballet, Wayne Sleep, The new English contemporary Ballet company, for film, musical theatre, events, stars such as Dame Shirley Bassey, Ronnie Wood and artists such as Bruce French and Sarah Lucas.

Vanessa danced in the Olympic closing ceremony recently and choreographed a section for the Classic Brit awards at the Royal Albert Hall. Now teaching at many schools all over London, internationally and for private clients, Vanessa works and trains all ages and abilities.

The class Vanessa has tailored specifically for Ray Stevens Academy is an excellent way to tone, get fit and work out in a fun environment to beautiful music. No previous experience is necessary and the first class is a taster.

All are welcome.

Call Natalie 077747 13850 or raystevensfitnessclub.co.uk vanessafenton.co.uk vanessafenton@hotmail.com

EERY R F NT E

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feature

Un "Je ne sais quoi", Aurora Nathalie Baur, Stylist and Image Consultant talks to our cover girl, Aurora Colson, local Wimbledon Village singer/ songwriter

Fed Conti and Aurora Photography: 'La Boutique'

A

rtists get their inspiration from personal experience.

Where and how did it all start for you?

I am an autodidact musician.

Music has always captivated me. I grew up in Nancy (East of France) singing all the time, playing first a little keyboard and grabbing any opportunities to play my Dad’s drum kit. But it's when I moved to London ten years ago that I invested in professional equipment and started songwriting.

You are passionate about music, song writing, composing and currently working on your first solo album.

How do you feel about this new venture?

Yes I am, totally passionate!

I love performing a variety of styles. For example “La Boutique” - started in 2008 with producer, musician and DJ, Fed Conti. It’s very trendy, totally “now”, 80s Pop with a “French Touch”, incorporating the latest club trends and sounds. Besides that, I am finding myself more and more attracted to “all time classics” by great American

12 feb-mar 2013 | darlingmagazine.co.uk

composers such as Cole Porter and Irving Berlin. I regularly come to Wimbledon’s Bayee Village to rehearse and perform a selection of Jazz and American popular standards with Al Clogston, a New York pianist.

I've recently collaborated with producer Mike Collins releasing a series of singles and EPs, mainly covers of French songs, Pop and Rock tunes, and Jazz standards.

Although I feel I’m “ready” and matured as a musician for working on my first solo album, it remains a real challenge!

Chameleon with your look, you ‘transform as you perform’. What role does fashion play in your life?

What does your wardrobe look like?"

I spent ten years in art schools.

Image comes as second nature!

Fashion and performance on stage should totally fit and match the music. I believe that image and sound totally intertwine.

In order to get a retro look I'll put on my 1940s frocks, petticoat, pin-curl my hair the

old fashioned way, paint my lips bright red and swag the total vintage look “à la Marilyn”!

La Boutique's fashion is contemporary. I crimple my hair, wear bright and colourful outfits, with totally crazy platform shoes Lady Gaga style, whilst keeping it all rather stylish and chic. Lady Gaga understands the importance of image from the start. More than a singer, she is a complete artist, a “universe” of her own,

in which music and fashion are inseparable. My wardrobe is actually an entire room! You’ll see a selection of vintage dresses and petticoats, tailored jackets, “basics” like LBDs, many hats that I unfortunately rarely wear, and a massive quantity of shoes, most of which I cannot walk 10 meters in without getting horrid blisters. I call them my “photo shoot” shoes!

Confucius said: "Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life".

It is never too late to start and it can take you as far as your dreams take you. And Aurora has done just that! www.aurorecolson.com www.renaissanceimage.co.uk

Boutique, Elegant, Personalised – that’s chic

Chic Locations – boutique travel specialist with a wealth of experience, bringing you the best in holidays to the Med and Tropics, combined with highly personalised, totally flexible, informative and candid service.

Located in Wimbledon Village, our brochure offers an array of resorts and luxury bespoke holidays, tailored to your needs.

Call us for more details.

ch c i

Boutique • Spa • Family

LOCATIONS

020 8944 1973 sales@chiclocations.com ATOL 6389 ABTA 9340X

darlingmagazine.co.uk | feb-mar 2013

13

beauty

NEW YEAR NEW SKIN! Our Spring Resolution You Will

J

oining the gym, going on a diet and giving up chocolates all seem like reasonable New Year’s Resolutions don’t they? How many of us actually stick to them or furthermore, enjoy sticking to them? Well, this year, why don’t you start as you mean to go on by looking after that beautiful face of yours?

Grip Hair & Body is the only Salon in the Wimbledon area to offer exclusive Luxury Organic Facials using products from the John Masters Skincare Range.

Designed by our resident beauty guru Peter, starting with a full deep cleanse, you will experience an invigorating, yet gentle Jojoba exfoliation, preparing the skin for light extractions. A stress relieving back massage and the application of hot stones is followed by a firming facial massage which relaxes muscles and allows deep penetration of the organic ingredients. After applying an Organic masque treatment, Peter’s magical hands will massage your shoulders and hands using Organic essential oils. To complete this amazing treatment, Organic serums, oils and creams are applied to leave your skin feeling youthful, fresh and protected. 75 mins of pure heaven!

Maeve McCrossan

Sticking To!

If you didn’t already know, organic treatments and products are growing fast in the UK with more and more people realising their health benefits. Our ancestors, after all, were using natural plant extracts for years weren’t they? Did them nothing but good!

Still not convinced? Well with £15 off your first, full facial with Peter what have you got to lose?

Alternatively, our 30 min ‘Moroccan Clay Clearing Facial’ or ‘Mandarin Moisture Drench Facial’ are ideal starting points if you are new to the John Masters Range.

TIP OF THE MONTH: Your skin dries out overnight so needs to be kept moisturised and hydrated. Try using John Masters ‘Mandarin Maximum Moisturiser’ mixed with 2-3 drops of John Masters ‘100% Organic Argan Oil’ over your face and neck after cleansing before bedtime. You will wake up in the morning feeling brand new!

Remember, we also stock Intelligent Nutrients Hair & Skin

Care, Davines Hair Care and Dermalogica Skincare products.

Please contact us to book your free hair and skin consultation.

Until next time…salutations from Team Grip.

Grip Hair & Body Wimbledon Village SW19 4QN T: 020 8296 0210 E: wecanhelp@ griporganichairbody.co.uk www.griporganichairbody.co.uk

darlingmagazine.co.uk | feb-mar 2013

15

business

Heading Subheading

darlingmagazine.co.uk | feb-mar 2013

17

Preparatory School for girls aged four to eleven

“One school, two buildings, great teaching and tip top facilities.”

The Good Schools Guide, 2012 Registered Charity No.271012

We warmly welcome you to visit both sites at the following events:

Open Morning Saturday 16th March Wilberforce House (ages 4-8), 9.30 – 12.00 Spencer House (ages 9-11), 10.00 – 12.30

Open Evening Tuesday 19th March Wilberforce House (ages 4-8), 18.30 – 20.00 We offer an assisted places scheme for girls aged 7+.

For further details please call Jane Davis on 020 8947 6969

www.thestudyprep.co.uk

fitness

Your resolutions resolved!

Pilates, the perfect solution to a healthy start to the year

T

he Pilates Clinic, well situated in Wimbledon, is a brand new, stunning studio with pristine new equipment and a wall of windows that take in the light and allow for a great view and relaxed ambience.

Keeping up with popular demand, and wanting to have something to offer people who are looking to lose weight and increase their cardio vascular fitness and general strength and toning,

The Pilates Clinic runs small group reformer classes of 5 or 6 people per class. These classes are challenging, but the results are undeniable from one session per week, and dramatic from two sessions per week!

Lisa Lamberti and her team of teachers all have many years of experience as Pilates teachers and are strong on rehabilitation with many conditions, the most common of which are: back pain, knee injuries/operations, hip replacements, shoulder injuries/operations. For these conditions we offer private or semi-private (2 people) sessions in order to focus on the specific need. thepilatesclinic.com E: info@thepilatesclinic.com T: 07984 920232

Stella & Dot Fever!

Local style guru, Stephanie Upton-Prowse has caught it Stephanie explains: I have always loved fashion and having been in the industry for over 25 years. Stella & Dot is a breath of fresh air. It was a great opportunity to start my own fashion retail business, doing something I love! The designers at Stella & Dot have a unique flair for amazing catwalk-style ideas and fashionable accessories. The collections are devised by celebrated New York designers and feature in Vogue, Instyle and Marie Claire, as well as on the wrists and necklines of celebrities.

20 feb-mar 2013 | darlingmagazine.co.uk

It is available online through Independent Stylists and exclusively at Pop up Shops/ trunk shows in your home, office or clubs. Stella & Dot has given me the chance to combine my love of people, style and shopping. The best of it is, I get to give away free jewellery. If you would like to find out more about hosting a Trunk Show, receiving free jewellery & accessories or becoming a stylist in the UK or Germany contact me at T: 07958 438723 stephanie@uptonprowseevents.co.uk stelladot.co.uk/sites/stephanieuptonprowse

The Power of Food

We are all very individual. What are your nutritional needs? A personalised individual plan, combining the latest scientific research and diagnostic testing can tell you. Sarah Wilson nutritional therapist explains

A

lthough nutrition is a vital part of everyday life, it is unfortunately an often overlooked aspect of healthcare today. However, the benefits that can be achieved from ensuring optimum nutrition for the body may be huge.

Today our understanding of how the body’s systems work together, combined with individual nutrition tailored programmes and diagnostic testing (blood, stool, DNA and urine), has revolutionised the way we treat, or prevent our health concerns and chronic illnesses.

The food you eat really does have an impact on every cell in your

body. Typical nutritional therapy priorities in my consultations are designed to achieve: • Optimum energy levels • Healthy blood sugar balance • Emotional and psychological wellbeing • Optimum gastrointestinal health (e.g reduce bloating & pain) • Tolerance to a broad range of food groups (e.g recurrent skin conditions) Contact Sarah Wilson DipION FDSC mBANT NTC CNHC t: 020 8944 0621 m: 07765 035177 e:sarah@nutriberry.co.uk www. nutriberry.co.uk 207 Health and Beauty, 207 Worple Rd, Raynes Park SW20 8QJ

“Optimum nutrition is the medicine of tomorrow”

Dr Linus Pauling, twice Nobel prize winner.

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university (four years). Education is compulsory only for the nine years of elementary and middle school; however 98% of students attend senior school. Students must take highly prestigious and Rugby Roundup by Paddy Ralston andmeritocratic Hugh Godwin based exams in order to enter senior school and then university.

JACK’S DREAM DAY

By Alex Papoutes

South Africa (towards the end King’s Mini and Junior Rugby From the of very early stages of a Japanese student’s last year), walking out the are part of KCS Old Boys RFC. lifeonto in elementary school right the way through to pitch alongside England player one very important idea that closely The club was founded by former employment, Alex Corbisiero in front of pupils of KCS (King’s College interlinks with the development of the soul and mind is unity and conformity. This is designed 82 000 spectators, just a few School) Wimbledon in 1907. to help students, and later on employees, to work minutes before the national In 1992 the club started mini together and succeed as a group rather than anthems and the kick-off. rugby and now run age groups as an individual like we are taught in the west.

England prop Corbisiero had from 5 to 18 year olds. There Although, over the last decade a greater emphasis nominated KCS Old Boys RFC are, of course, also Under 21 has been put on the development of a student’s for this special honour, as it was traditionally it has always been about teams and Senior XVs. King’s individuality, the first club at which he played and conforming to the group.

Rugby is open to anyone and selflessness junior rugby, Paddy Ralston while it still has strong links to being his first coach.This is clearly demonstrated even from the KCS Wimbledon, the club draws early stages of the child’s education. Japanese children from many schools. KCS, y name is Alexander Loizos elementary classes, for example, are divided into Squirrels and Rowans feature but "I couldn’t believe Papoutes and I am a British/ small teams for various activities. Every day the also The Hall School, Rokeby and Cypriot who was born and loudly bred in thechildren in their designated groups are taught how players Shrewsbury House. Add in kids Wimbledon village. I fell in love to clean the classrooms, halls of Corbisiero their Jackand Reidyards with Alex from St Matthews, Holy Trinity, screamed the anthem!" with learning Judo at school which led to my schools. The students are then made to have lunch They feel they represent not just Coombe many to others dream and of going Japanand in the order to travel, learn together with their teachers in the classrooms, themselves, but also family, Jack’s mother Sandy enjoying said: “Jackmeals prepared club a real mix of children. thehas Japanese language, and continue my training. by either thetheir school or friendsSmall and all thoseofthat have had the at lunch centre.

King’s runs a rugby on coaching I spent 6 months my gap year there andmost fantastic theday local teams students Twickenham – it wasthen any take boy’sturns tohelped project with Raynes High student another year as anPark exchange at a Japanese servethem lunchon totheir theirjourney”. classmates university in Tokyo. wasboth exposeddream.” to Japanese in order to help promote this sense of selflessness www.kingsrugby.org.uk which has huge benefitsIfor my degree course and time and unity. theeducation club and throughout RPHS. visiting various schools all over Japan.

Here are my Jack: “I lined up with the thoughts.

One thing that always struck me as extraordinary England team and walked out King’s Under 12 group are was the level of independence that these young onto the pitch for the anthems. current Surrey Champions and One thing that all parents know is the importance students had with regards to going to and from I couldn’t loud the four thechildren’s junior teams play and well of oftheir education being. believe The how school.

Children who go to public schools go to stadium loudly thein their local district. Since most school in Japanese Division one the Surrey are aofnation that understands and was takesand howthe school players screamed thedistricts anthem.are Wesmall, school buses usually aren’t leagues.

King’svery are hugely proud this notion seriously.

As a linguist, student gotencountered to watch the game from great for field trips) and parents don’t of and the traveller quality ofofplayers Japan coming I continuously used (except thetheir wordmini isshinndoutai, means in their children, instead they walk to and from seats just behind the drive England from and juniorwhich literally Japanese, “One in Mind, Body and Soul”.

Although school. In Tokyo, this takes about 5 to 15 minutes. replacements.” sections. this notion was the essence of the way of the Many either walk or ride bicycles if the distance samurai, it is still very much apparent in Japan’s is not too great. In other cases, students must England Head Coach, Stuart Thanks to the England society and education today. take public buses and trains, often changing lines Lancaster, said: “The England Connected initiative, 12-year-old several times in order to reach their destination. take the responsibility of Jack Reid (Captain the U12’s) The basic schoolofsystem in Japan isplayers comprised It is not uncommon for students to spend two or representing was England team mascot at six years), of an elementary school (lasting middlethe country morevery hours each day on public transportation. The seriously, onand and off school the field. theschool QBE International (three years), versus high school (three years), day begins at 8:30, so students may leave

All photography courtesy of the Rugby Football Union

M

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Meridian Sound with Style.

TechniQuest Expertise.

Meridian has a unique reputation for Britishdesigned home entertainment systems stretching back over 35 years, combining superb sound with breathtaking design and elegance.

TechniQuest of Wimbledon Village can specify, design and install the perfect Meridian entertainment system for your needs, from a powerful touchscreendriven Meridian Digital Media System to a movie industry quality Home Cinema installation.

Arrange a personal demonstration at our showroom at 26 High Street, Wimbledon Village, take a seat in the Digital Theatre and experience how Meridian and TechniQuest can bring sound, vision, style and expertise to your home.

meridian-audio.com

To arrange an appointment for a personal demonstration: T 020 8944 9040 E meridian@techniquest.co.uk W www.techniquest.co.uk/meridian

HOME AUTOMATION | GATE AUTOMATION & ENTRY SYSTEMS | INTRUDER, FIRE & CCTV SECURITY MULTIROOM AUDIO | DIGITAL TV & VIDEO DISTRIBUTION | HOME THEATRE | LIGHTING DESIGN SCENE BASED LIGHTING CONTROL | IT COMMUNICATIONS | DIGITAL TELEPHONE SYSTEMS MECHANICAL SERVICES DESIGN & CONTROL | ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY CONSULTING

Consultations are available by prior appointment

TECHNIQUEST UK LIMITED

26, High Street, Wimbledon Village, London SW19 5BY T 020 8944 9040 E info @techniquest.co.uk W www.techniquest.co.uk

ON THE SCENE NEW DARLING COBHAM & ESHER LAUNCH PARTY

L-R: Hermina Williams, Belinda Eriksson, Karine Torr, Philippa Hennessy, Claudine Slatter, Sue Baker and Helen Wharton

Philippa Hennessy, Editor Darling Cobham & Esher and Karine Torr, Editor Darling Wimbledon and UK Publisher

Barry Gregory and Jane Kelly from Aquatintbsc

Micky Wolff, Emma Crawford

TENNISON PROPERTY CHRISTMAS PARTY

WINTER WONDERLAND AFTER PARTY AT THE TERRACE

L-R: Nadia Sirhan, Suhad Sirhan, Patrick Collin, Carol Brown and Mohammad Sirhan

L-R: Dawn James, Polka Theatre, Suzie Wood, Manager Centre Court & Event Organiser, Love Wimbledon, Tracy Francis

MERTON PARTNERSHIP MEETING AT ALL ENGLAND

RADIANCE HEALTH & BEAUTY EVENT HOSTED AT KÖNIG KITCHENS IN WIMBLEDON VILLAGE

L-R: Dr. Howard Freeman, Isabel Hargreaves, Leader of the Council Stephen Alambritis and Linda Kirby

L-R: Lina Largo, Nalan Caouki, Martine Mansurian, Mary Hogan and Tina Hughes

SEASONS FLORISTs CHRISTMAS SHOWCASE AT CANNIZARO IN AID OF MENCAP

EVENING OF PETRUSHKA AT WIMBLEDON MUSIC FESTIVAL

L-R: Lesley Vaughan, Andrea Leila Brown, Loli Torres, Mari Lawrence, Yasmin Kazi from Mencap BACK: Harry Cowd

L-R: Anthony Wilkinson, Mikail Rudy, Claire Sibley, Ronnie Le Drew and Emily Ayers

SEEN AT ELYS/VICTORIA FOUNDATION EVENT

NEW COFFEE SHOP ON THE BLOCK - DE ROSIER

L-R: Clare Jefferies, Janet Borrow, Jesse Walker, Eileen Helliwell and Marie-Helene Rodriguez

L-R: James Long, Alicja Gondek, Andrew Finkelstein, Leona Finkelstein and Slamek Gemba

WIMBLEDON YOUNG PROFESSIONALS GROUP meet AT THE DOG & FOX

L-R: Elliot Swatton, Maddy Hoath and Michael Knights

L-R: Matt Rodgers, Charlene Beard and Sophie Matthews

SOUTHFIELDS GALLERY YEAR-END EXHIBITION OF LOCAL ARTISTS

L-R: Wlisa Sariul, Kuldip Rihal, Rosie Packer (exhibiting artist), John Powell & Anne Bachmann

Artists Rosie Casselden & Andrea Leila Brown

PRIVATE VIEW OF TVF’S WIMBLEDON SPORTS FILM ‘COMMON GROUND’

WIMBLEDON BUSINESS GROUP NETWORKING

L-R: Ben Marsden, Ivor Heller, Commercial Director AFC Wimbledon, Michael Padmanathan and Ian Cooke who had 600 appearances for Wimbledon Football Club

L-R: Stephen Dixon, Wendy Pridmore, Shawn Stone & Mark Parker

NEEDLE CRAFT AT STITCH-UP ON ARTHUR RD

MORESON WINE TASTING EVENING

L-R: Sandie Bonfield, Jenny Small, Christa Terweide & Margarete Davies.

Front: Senka Carevic and Nicky Bindler

L-R: front Karen de Villiers, Lesley Brown, Charley Friedman, Michele Stander Back: Maddy de Villiers, Josephine Williamson and John Swanepoel

CHEque FOR MACMILLAN AT THE FOREST BAILIFF

MORRISONS SOLICITORS SUPPORTING THE POLKA

L-R: Robert Holmes, Stephen Hammond MP, Aiden Birt, Hamish Turner and Lucy Woodruff

POLE STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY

Paul Harvey and Stephen Midlane

WIMBLEDON VILLAGE STABLES FESTIVE BASH AT CAFE ROUGE

L-R: Mark Beim, Teresa Cheuk, Simon Pole and Loveday Newton

PROJECT B HAIRDRESSING LAUNCHES ON COOMBE LANE

L-R: Stephen Young, Taryn Pewsey, Alison Young, Stephanie Douthwaite and Gro Lumsden

L-R: Ainsle Aitkin, Chris Denniston and Annie Hanson

ALICE WOOD BRANDING MORNING

SENTI LAUNCHES RUTH MASTENBROEK’S NEW PERFUME

L-R: Lucinda Peyton-Jones, Alice Wood, Clare Jefferies and Allison Hill

L-R: Cathy Cremer, Jane Simpson, Ruth Mastenbroek, Diana Mason & Jane Uglow

SPIRITED WINES SUPPORTING SSAFA FORCES HELP

William Blyth presenting cheque to Judith Martin at Wimbledon Village Club

BLUEBIRD CARE (MERTON) LAUNCH PARTY

WVBA CHRISTMAS PARTY AT CANNIZARO HOUSE

L-R: Isabel Hargreaves, Richard Hunter, Jilly Bland and Kim Peacock

Wayne & Elayne Myers

L-R: Martine Gillfillian, Rachel Harford, Kathy Grafham (Care Manager), Jay Patel (Director), Director, Gill Williams, Mayor of Merton, Cllr David Williams, Stacey loader, Michelle Lambert & Jacqueline Hack

ANNUAL SOIRéE HELD DEEP IN THE WOODS OF WIMBLEDON COMMON

L-R: Lynnie Farrant, Alison Young, Rosalyn Rahme, Chris Lohan, Arthur Fabricant, hosts Mary and Brian Hanover and Sharon Kallos

Musicians pianist, Mark Dixon and flautist Marlene Verwey

OPENING OF GUIDO BARAGLI SHOW AT WIMBLEDON FINE ART

REGIONAL ATHENA NETWORK christMAS PARTY

L-R: Sophie Wootton, Guido Baragli, Joey Burgess, Judy Stafford and Alessandro Borruso (the jeweller involved in creating the Damien Hirst diamond skull)

Members L-R: Harriet de Wolff, Tam Jackson, Nicolette Brown, Martha Derpenska, Kirsty McMorron and Tracy Rissik

wellbeing

Would you like to sleep deeply, wake up feeling refreshed with more energy in the day?

Alessandro Ferullo local Qi Gong teacher and health practitioner on the importance of restful, restorative sleep for the whole family

Why is sleep so important for our health?

Quality sleep affects our well-being possibly more than any other factor and is the basis of good health. Even if we exercise, eat well, take nutrition supplements and then sleep badly, the body does not get a chance to repair and restore itself so our health probably will suffer.

What are some of the other benefits of good sleep?

We tend to have a much more positive outlook (the mind-body connection), restored flexibility, people saying how well you look, no winter dip, fewer or no days off sick.

Who are Nikken?

Nikken is the top provider of energy and wellness products to the Japanese. Since 1996 the company has expanded in the UK and across Europe and is now in over 30 countries. In the UK we are realising the importance of preventing illness in the first place and these technologies help us towards that goal.

I have been using the Nikken Sleep System for several years and it combines the energy of the Earth (magnetic technology) and the energy of the sun (far infra red technology), a combination of features that work together to help you sleep better and assist the processes of physical and mental recharging that form the basis of sleep. It helps take the stress out of the body while we sleep and encourages the sleep that helps your body restore itself naturally.

Please call for a free demonstration of the sleep system or ask for details on our bi-weekly Wellness Talk/in Wimbledon at the Antoinette Hotel, Wimbledon, 247-263, The Broadway, London SW19 1SD

Alessandro Ferullo Independent Wellness Consultant www.nikkenwellbeing.co.uk/info/ alessandroferullo tel: 07747 113305 email: alessandro@flowinghealth.co.uk

darlingmagazine.co.uk | feb-mar 2013

31

Peter Kingsford Petley Clinical Hypnotherapist CHANGE IS POSSIBLE and it’s easier than you think.

Wherever you are in life, be it desperate for change, longing for a life less mediocre, or striving to make a good thing better...

Treating: • self-confidence • insomnia • grief/loss • career issues • stress/anxiety/worry • unwanted habits • weight management • limiting beliefs • peak performance • interview/exam preparation • public speaking • motivation/goal-setting

I can help.

I offer a complimentary one-hour consultation.

info@petleyhypnosis.com www.petleyhypnosis.com

Does someone you know deserve the best care?

Kew House Care Home provides quality nursing, dementia, and residential care.

Call in today to view our outstanding facilities and meet our passionate care team.

58 Spencer Hill Road, Wimbledon, SW19 4EL

0208 971 0190 www.hallmarkcarehomes.co.uk kewhouse@hallmarkcarehomes.co.uk

AQUATINTBSC PUTS ITS STAMP ON THE OLYMPICS! Darling chats to Sales and Marketing Director, Jane Kelly

L—R: Ian Hadley, Jim Carroll, Barry Gregory, Jackie Ackermann, Pat McHugh, Andrew Hammond (Head of Royal Mail Stamps and Collectables), Rob Ackermann, Neil Mclauchlan, Jane Kelly, Jon Martin and Daniel Henderson.

T

he Olympics may now be a distant thought to us all as spring approaches but for one design and print company, based in Wimbledon, it will never be forgotten. So why did this mean so much to Darling’s printer Aquatintbsc?

Jane explains: “Signed to secrecy Aquatintbsc up until now, have been unable to shout about their participation in this well publicised and much loved part of the London Olympics. Finally this month, to commemorate our achievement, head of Royal Mail, Andrew Hammond, presented us with a framed set of both the Olympic and Paralympics Gold medal winners.

Our company was one of 6 printers selected to provide stamps to the whole of the UK within 24 hours of our athletes winning gold! This, however, was no ordinary print job for our team.

Two pieces of history were made in the process.

Firstly, it was the first time ever the Queen did not approve the image of a Royal Mail stamp and, secondly, post offices opened for the first time on a Sunday.

After two years of rehearsing and testing, history was made right here in Wimbledon on Wednesday 1st August when our two female

rowers, shortly followed by Bradley Wiggins, won our first clutch of gold medals. The Aquatintbsc team rose to the challenge. Everyone in the building understood not only the complexity of the project but what it meant to us as a business.

I really was very proud! Being London based meant when that first medal was won we had what resembled a paparazzi film set in our press room and this was meant to be a confidential job! Sky, BBC and ITV added to the pressure of the deadline, with all cameras fixed on our machine all ready to record this historical event.”

Maryann Barone-Chapman BA, Msc, DipPsych, UKCP, AJA, IAAP

Jungian Analyst and Psychotherapist

What is the meaning of Depression, Addiction, Anxiety, Abuse, Gender, Loss, Identity, Mid-Life, Chronic Illness, Moods, Loneliness, Lack of Concentration, Reoccurring Dreams and other discontents of the psyche?

The purpose of a Jungian Analysis is a realignment of conscious and unconscious aspects of personality to bring new meaning to emotional and psychological suffering whereby new values emerge.

www.integratedhealthpsychotherapy.co.uk 020 8785 0043 SW19

Authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (490290) Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority

13 may be unlucky for some

34 feb-mar 2013 | darlingmagazine.co.uk

Marek Bednarczyk Vice President, Surrey Law Society

legal

A

lthough the insurance industry (and in some cases the government) would have you believe that anyone who makes a personal injury claim has been unwittingly drawn into the compensation culture, or worse still, is a malingering fraudster, the reality at the coal face is very different. Most personal injury claimants are honest, decent, law abiding citizens who, instead of being excited by the prospect of a damages cheque, would much prefer not to have been injured in the first place.

Although it has been said that access to justice is the hallmark of a civilised society, changes to the law coming into effect in April 2013 (under the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act) may well mean that the number of people who can afford to make such claims in the future will be reduced significantly.

At the moment, if your solicitor thinks that you have a good personal injury or clinical negligence claim, they may be prepared to take on your case under a “no win, no fee” agreement. Since they will be taking a risk they are entitled to seek a success fee. They may also recommend that you take out “after the event insurance” to cover against the possibility of you losing your claim and being ordered to pay the other side’s costs.

As things currently stand, if you are able to settle your case or you win at trial, the other side are likely to have to pay your costs including your lawyer’s success fee and the after the event insurance premium.

As from April 2013, however, these costs (the success fee and the insurance premium) cannot be recovered from the other side (a limited exception being made for the after the event insurance premium taken out in relation to experts’ fees in a clinical negligence claim).

The success fees recovered in the cases that are successful are intended to cover the written off costs in those cases that are not successful. For this reason, if they are going to continue to offer “no win no fee” agreements, lawyers will still need to charge success fees, and claimants, if they are sensible, will still want to take out some form of “after the event insurance”.

Although the government would have you believe that they are introducing new costs rules, which will make such insurance completely unnecessary, these rules are ‘qualified’ such that the claimant may still end up with a liability which historically would have been covered by insurance.

While the idea of an award of damages is to put the innocent person in the same position as they would have been if the accident had not happened, the government now intends that, admittedly subject to a cap, the success fee will be deducted from their damages as, in effect, will the insurance premium.

If you have a potential personal injury or clinical negligence claim, the simple message is contact your lawyer now so that you can enter into a “no win, no fee” agreement and an after the event insurance policy before April 2013.

Hart Brown has many years' experience of dealing with all types of personal injury and clinical negligence claims. Where necessary, we take cases to trial, however, we are always conscious of other ways of settling cases, for example, the use of joint settlement meetings and mediations.

For more information about personal injury or clinical negligence claims contact Marek Bednarczyk on 0208 947 8171.

darlingmagazine.co.uk | feb-mar 2013

35

homes

GRAND STYLE SPRING MAKEOVER What will you do with your house this year?

O

nce again it’s the start of a new year and time for us to reflect on what we achieved in the past year and also time to set new goals and challenges for the year ahead. The last year has been an interesting one for Rhino Construction, despite the country’s continued economic woes, we have done some fantastic large scale projects. My favourite and certainly the one that occupied most of our time and energy, would be this project in Wandsworth.

It was certainly one of the most challenging; as at one stage all that remained of the original terraced house was the front facade and the party walls, with a big hole where the floor once was.

The big hole in time became a fabulous basement, with a double volume entertainment area, utility and plant room, cloakroom and guest suite with an ensuite bathroom.

“We turned a 3 bedroomed terraced house into a jaw dropping 5 bedroomed masterpiece!”

Jason Coetzee

The rest of the house was then rebuilt with the ground floor containing the kitchen/dining area and living room, the first floor, three large bedrooms and a family bathroom and the second floor another large bedroom, turning a standard 3 bedroomed terraced house into a jaw dropping 5 bedroomed masterpiece. It is certainly a project to be proud of, so I have included some of my favourite photos, which will hopefully inspire you to create your own dream home.

If these leave you wanting to see more, go and have a look at the gallery including a video on our website www.rhinoconstruction.co.uk.

T: 07932 75 3328

darlingmagazine.co.uk | feb-mar 2013

37

BRING HOLLYWOOD HOME

Did you know that one of the best audio-visual and home automation specialists in Europe is based here in Wimbledon, and that their showroom opening this month will blow your mind?

T

he centre-piece of the showroom is a digital theatre employing reference audio, video and projection products

by Meridian Audio, Loewe and Stewart Filmscreen, with iPad-controlled automation of audio visual entertainment, heating, lighting, and blind control systems. It doubles as their client meeting space and provides an extraordinary audio visual and automation experience as well as an elegant and relaxing venue for project meetings - altogether an impressive demonstration of TechniQuest’s design ability and sheer attention to detail.

TechniQuest are experts in the design,

project management, installation and support of a diverse range of high-performance integrated technologies, including audio visual entertainment, lighting design, IT and telecoms networks and whole-home automation.

Their design and project management team works in collaboration with your Architect, Interior Designer, Project Manager or Building Contractor.

Consultations are available by appointment.

Vincent Murphy TechniQuest UK Limited 26 High Street Wimbledon Village 020 8944 9040 info@techniquest.co.uk www.techniquest.co.uk

BLUE CHIP BRIDGE

BRIDGE FOR VALENTINE AS SPADES TRUMP HEARTS

The Intelligent Bridge Program

By Darling’s bridge guru, Paul Mendelson

“The best available software good fun, excellent value” Andrew Robson

"The best for Acol players"

At this time of year, we all need something to cheer ourselves up and, for Bridge players, what could be more welcoming than a nice long suit in dummy?

All good players know that a long suit is their best chance of extra tricks.

Zia Mahmood

Blue Chip Bridge includes Hindsight, a unique feature which tells you if you could have done better during the play of the cards, and then shows you what you should have done !

• Excellent practice and tuition features to sharpen your game • The ideal program for players at all levels

A

A

A A

♠ West S 73 H J10976 D KJ C 9876

♦

North S A42 H 52 D 1086 C K10543

South S KQJ109 H A843 D Q5 C AQ

♥ East S 865 H KQ D A97432 C J2

♣

Dealer South N/S Game N E S W 1S NB 2S NB 4S North did well to raise 1S to 2S. With 3-card support for partner’s major and a weak hand with a shortage, to raise is the best action.

AA AA Cost £55 (inclusive of p&p) Blue Chip Bridge Ltd. P O Box 130 Brighton, BN41 9BX Tel : 01273 597587 DOWNLOAD THE FREE DEMO FROM OUR WEBSITE

www.bluechipbridge.co.uk 40 feb-mar 2013 | darlingmagazine.co.uk

West led Jh and South counted the losing cards in her hand – a pre-requisite of successful trump declarer play. She established that she had: no losers in spades, three losers in hearts, two losers in diamonds and no losers in clubs. That makes five losers – two more than she can afford. There are only two ways to avoid losers: trump them in dummy or throw them away on a long suit. Here, dummy’s club suit could save the day.

Declarer timed her play perfectly. She won trick one with Ah and cashed Ks and Qs – carefully preserving dummy’s As. Next she played Ac and Qc, noting East’s Jc fall on the second round. Now, declarer drew the last trump by playing to dummy’s As, and she could then use Kc, 10c and 5c to throw away her heart losers from hand, ending up making eleven tricks. aceoftrumps.com

"Daffodils in a green bowl – and let it snow if it will."

A.A. Milne

Auntie Planty with some good, old fashioned advice on these national favourites

I

love the daffodil. It’s a great time of year when those early yellow carpets appear all over the place – in gardens, on roundabouts, half way up motorway embankments and other odd places. But ignore its after care demands, and the daffodil reputation of ‘dancing and fluttering in the breeze’ will be dented.

The first golden rule is to remove the fading flower heads before they have time to look really scruffy and start to squander vital energy by producing seeds that you’ll then not use. So, after flowers have passed their best, remove the complete stem.

The second golden rule is, do not under any

circumstances remove the leaves at this stage.

The plant desperately needs to be given time for the leaves to die down naturally so the remaining starches and sugars can be returned for safe keeping in the bulb.

Also, please try and resist the temptation to tie the leaves neatly into clump-like knots. This would be a good time to give the plants a feed with a high potassium liquid fertilizer such as Phostrogen (NPK: 14:10:27).

Valerie McBride-Munro is a qualified horticulturist. As Auntie Planty, she helps to solve your plant and gardening problems. Her advice is only a phone call away (020 8892 9243)

darlingmagazine.co.uk | feb-mar 2013

41

Missing Your darling Magazine?

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www.centrecourtshopping.co.uk IMPORTANT NUMBERS Wimbledon Police IMPORTANT NUMBERS St George’s Hospital 020 8947 1212 or (999) 020 8672 1255 Wimbledon Police St George’s Hospital Merton Council Kingston Hospital 020 8947 1212 or (999) 020 8672 1255 020 8274Council 4901 020 8546 7711 Merton Kingston Hospital NHS8274 DIRECT National 020 4901 020 8546 Rail 7711 0845 DIRECT 4647 08457 484950 NHS National Rail 0845 4647 44

08457 484950

feb-march 2012 | darlingmagazine.co.uk

* Nicholas & Steele 78 Durham Rd Tel: 07947 011879 COLLECT COPIES AT OUR “HOTSPOTS” * Maison St. Cassien, Wimbledon Village * Nicholas & Steele Tel: 020 8944 1200 78 Durham Rd Tel: 07947 011879 * Southfields Gallery 223 Wimbledon Park Rd Tel: 07947St. 675Cassien, 059 Wimbledon Village * Maison Tel: 020 8944 1200 * Truckles Deli on Coombe Lane SW20 Tel: 020 8605 2175 * Southfields Gallery 223 Wimbledon Park Rd Tel: 07947 675 059 * Aromatica Italian Deli on Leopold Rd Tel: 020 8944 0309 * Truckles Deli on Coombe Lane SW20 020 8605 2175Information Desk *Tel: Love Wimbledon Centre Court Shopping Centre, 4 Queens Rd * Aromatica Italian Deli on Leopold Rd Tel: 020 8944 Please call first0309 to check stocks Please call first to check stocks

Wimbledon School of English London

Where quality really matters

English Language Evening Courses Preparation for the IELTS Examination General English with First Certificate Advanced English Wimbledon School of English is a Test Centre for IELTS and Cambridge Exams Tel 020 8947 1921 info@wimbledon-school.ac.uk wwww.wimbledon-school.ac.uk

music

Wimbledon Choral Society with Neil Ferris at the helm

By Tilly Richardson

W

imbledon Choral Society has been performing to enthusiastic audiences for almost one hundred years and, in 1998, were chosen to sing the BBC’s Football World Cup anthem. The recording shot up to no.16 in the popular music charts but lost momentum after England failed to win the inevitable penalty shoot-out.

Nevertheless, the choir appeared on the Richard & Judy Show, BBC Breakfast television, Blue Peter, Top of the Pops and was, of course, heard on a daily basis as the BBC broadcast the World Cup matches.

Until 1990 they performed in Wimbledon Town Hall (now the shopping centre). With no local venue for a large choir with orchestra, they perform in the major London concert halls, and only at Christmas can they be heard in SW19.

Past Presidents of the Society have included Ralph Vaughan Williams & Sir Henry Wood. The current President is local resident, Ian Partridge CBE, the internationally renowned lyric tenor, who sang with the choir earlier in his career as did Janet Baker, the mezzo-soprano, back in 1975.

For the past twelve years the choir has formed the Festival Choir at the annual televised British Legion Festival of Remembrance in the Royal Albert Hall.

Neil Ferris was appointed Music Director to Wimbledon Choral Society in 2009 and has an impressive number of jobs: Head of Choral Conducting at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Director of Cardiff Polyphonic Choir which has broadcast for BBC Radios 2, 3 & 4, Principal Guest Conductor of Birmingham Bach Choir as well as guest conductor for several other choirs. He was the Assistant Conductor at Covent Garden for their Christmas Wind in the Willows production in 2012.

Neil, who is married with two young children and a keen but terribly bad skier, said that he was attracted to the choir because of its positive atmosphere. He says ‘It is ebullient, vibrant and well-run; there is a healthy intake of new members of a good mix of ages and we are piloting a bursary scheme for young tenors. I especially enjoy the friendly post rehearsal pub session.’

Our local choir is fortunate to have such a musically talented director.

Wimbledon Choral Society is currently rehearsing Mozart’s Requiem for the Guildford International Music Festival 16th March (Guildford Cathedral), and Vivaldi Gloria for the Brandenburg Spring Choral Festival (St. Martin-in-the Fields). wimbledon-choral.org.uk for details.

darlingmagazine.co.uk | feb-mar 2013

43

diary

WHAT’S ON THE WINDMILL MARKET Every 2nd Sat of the month from 9th Feb 10am-2pm. Farmers & Crafts at St Mark’s Church

DANCE AWAY DEMENTIA 10 -11am Fridays at Wimbledon Guild for over 60’s.

Contact Wimbledon Guild 020 8946 0735 £3

NEW WIM THEATRE

Priscilla Queen of the Desert with Jason Donovan 11th-16th March Save the Last Dance for Me 4th-9th March atgtickets.com

WIMBLEDON FAIR STALLS 22nd June. For applications call Wendy Grant 07753 497542 fairstalls@wimbledonguild.co.uk

CHINESE NEW YEAR The Piazza, Wimbledon 8-9th Feb 12-6pm

WORKSHOPS FOR HYPNO THERAPISTS IN EBT £99, 23rd Feb 11:00-5pm Justin James Hotel, 43 Worple Rd, plus guided meditations in Feb & March 7pm – 8:15pm 07917 197 625 ebt-uk.com

POLKA THEATRE SHOWS Wind in the Willows until 16th Feb, The William Stories 19th Feb - 23rd Feb, Why the Lion Danced 20th Feb - 2nd March Grimm Tales 5th – 23 March, 6 – 11 years polkatheatre.com

CHILDREN’S HOLIDAY ART W/SHOPS 7-12 yrs old Feb18-22, Apr 1-12, 9.30-3.00 Ricards Lodge School childrensartschool.org 07917 197 625 ebt-uk.com

WIMBLEDON CHORAL SOCIETY IN GUILDFORD Sat 16th March Mozart Requiem Conducted by Neil Ferris 7:30pm wimbledon-choral.org.uk/tickets

HILLSINGERS CONCERT

St Matthews Church, Durham Rd. 16th March 7:30pm hillsingers.co.uk

THE COLOUR HOUSE CHILDREN’S THEATRE Sleeping Beauty Sat & Sun from 19th Feb - 14th April colourhousetheatre.co.uk

TWITTER FOR BUSINESS With David Fernando & Chamber of Commerce 27th March 9:30-12:30pm Tuition House, St George Rd. Call Sophie on 020 8944 5501

LOVE WIMBLEDON MARKET Last weekend every month, The Piazza 22-24th Feb 11-6pm

exploding and we need your help. Potentially £1000 p.m. Part time. £4000 p.m. Full time.

CALL CLAIRE ON: 020 3393 9557 (24hrs)

CLASSIFIEDS

ELEGANCE DRY CLEANERS - RAYNES PARK Special Offer!

Tues: £14 for 2 piece suits WORK HOURS Thurs: 30%YOUR off forOWN senior citizens around020 your family or career.

8542 2055 Our organic health (opp. back &ofbeauty station)business is exploding and we need your help. Potentially £1000 p.m. Part time. £4000 p.m. Full time.

WINDOW CLEANER - FAMILY BUSINESS CALL CLAIRE ON: 020 3393 9557 (24hrs) 40 YEARS IN THE WIMBLEDON AREA GARY PHOTOGRAPHER GARY PHOTOGRAPHER From £12 - £18 for an average four GARY WOLFF PHOTOGRAPHER bedroom house. Contracts welcome.

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point of view

Let’s all be nosy parkers

Which public service in our Borough can we always rely upon; conscientiously efficient, punctilious with time-keeping, and fully staffed?

The bobby on the beat, nabbing the knifewielding, rioting arsonist? The caring nurse who swiftly intervenes when we drag our bloodstained offspring into casualty after a nasty accident on the garden swing? No, I refer of course to our trusty traffic wardens. If only our local police and hospitals were able to provide the superb, hands-on services of our parking enforcement officers, what a utopia we would enjoy!

We would be spoilt for crime prevention and healthcare, but government faces difficult spending priorities, and no doubt a Big Society wants to see Mrs Bloggs fined as she nips into the newsagents, so that we can afford more people to pounce on Mrs Bloggs the next time, rather than fripperies such as local emergency services.

46 feb-mar 2013 | darlingmagazine.co.uk

It’s hardly surprising there is so much cash sloshing around to fund self-inflating parking controls. Most machines kindly accept overpayment from punters who lack the small change or arithmetical skills to shovel in the precise amount for the various blocks of 6 minutes at £1.45 per minute which they require, always assuming that they have found the one functioning meter within a mile radius in the first place. The council can probably fund officers to attend crucial parking consultation conferences in Florida from the over-payments alone, leaving the net payments available for all the signage, zonings and permit tribunals which need administering, as well as the army of implacable wardens who patrol the streets like something reminiscent of a scene from ‘Shaun of the Dead’. You will have noticed the ‘divide and rule’ policy in operation: neighbour set against neighbour in the scrabble for permits; small businesses set against residents; pedestrians and cyclists flattened by desperate motorists fleeing the scene of their expired tickets. In a community riven with permit envy and meter rage, there can be, one darkly suspects, only one winner - the shadowy Blofelds of local government, caressing Angora cats stealthily fattened by this cream-off.

We’re not idiots. We understand the need for controls and checks on car use. But of the £9 million plus raised by fines and permits in Merton each year, maybe it’s time we showed more interest in how it’s spent.

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Ad for Darling Jan 2013:Layout 1 26/01/2013 11:27 Page 1

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