KT
CONNECTION
THE COMMUNITY MAGAZINE AND DIRECTORY FOR RESIDENTS OF KT20
march 2017 issue 106
MARCH
H
ints of Spring have been showing themselves as I write this. There’s warmth in the air, daffodils are blooming and the birds are singing away. Although, the cold has probably returned as you’re reading this! But even so, it doesn’t hurt to prepare the garden for the warmer months. Turn to page 28 for Connection’s tips on getting it straight. Being outside more with the coming of Spring often inspires our creative side and none more so than the artists that are being exhibited in Denbies until 5th March. There is some truly wonderful work on display and all very affordable. So if you ever fancied owning an original piece of art, read about the Surrey Art Fair on page 18. Katie
Have a great March!
info@ktconnection.co.uk 01737 831498
READER OFFERS IN MARCH 2017: Carpets 4 U (p5) 10% discount for Connection readers. Bliss Hair Company (p8) 20% colour sale. SWT Flooring (p17) 10% off carpets and Amtico with this advert. Norsat (p27) 10% off any aerial work.
Copy deadline for APRIL issue is 17th March 2017.
Contents P6
Mother’s Day
Mothers - the inspiration behind these thought provoking quotes.
P20
Legal Matters
P10-11 Holistic Health
Solicitor Nicola Dudley on what’s involved in becoming a property and financial affairs attorney.
It’s National Bed month, so see if you can get a better sleep with these handy tips.
P24
Thousands raised for The Children’s Trust during Comedy Club event.
P14
P28
Fit for Life
Personal Trainer Jade asks the question: Are you really hungry or are your emotions driving your appetite?
P18
Affordable Art
Information on Surrey Art Fair at Denbies this month.
4
Charity comedy Night Spring clearing
Getting your garden ready for Spring.
P32
Keystroke Associates
Latest news on everything IT from Keystroke Associates.
P33-35 Community News
Please mention CONNECTION when responding to adverts
Mothers’ Day 26th March ‘God could not be everywhere, and therefore he made mothers.’ Rudyard Kipling ‘Men are what their mothers made them.’ Ralph Waldo Emerson ‘Only mothers can think of the future because they give birth to it in their children.’ Maxim Gorky ‘Food, love, career and mothers, the four major guilt groups.’ Cathy Guisewife ‘If evolution really works, how come mothers only have two hands?’ Milton Berle ‘I am sure that if the mothers of various nations could meet, there would be no more wars.’ E. M. Forster ‘All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That’s his.’ Oscar Wilde ‘Men who love their mothers treat women wonderfully. And they have enormous respect for women.’ Ellen Barkin ‘By and large, mothers and housewives are the only workers who do not hve regular time off. They are the great vacationless class.’ Anne Morrow Lingbergh
6
‘Mothers are fonder than fathers of their children because they are more certain they are their own.’ Aristotle ‘A mother is she who can take the place of all others but whose place no one else can take.’ Cardinal Mermillod ‘I really learned it all from mothers.’ Dr. Benjamin Spock ‘If there were no schools to take the children away from home part of the time, the insane asylum would be filled with mothers.’ Edgar Watson Howe ‘My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her.’ George Washington ‘The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world.’ William Ross Wallace ‘Sweater, n: garment worn by child when its mother is feeling chilly.’ Ambrose Bierce ‘A mother is a person who, seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie.’ Tenneva Jordan
Please mention CONNECTION when responding to adverts
39, Tattenham crescent, Tattenham Corner, Epsom Downs KT18 5QJ
Tel: 01737 361211
Colour sale up to 20% off 27th march – 1st April We are pleased to announce Bliss is now stocking
Kevin Murphy Hair Care. Products are all sulphate, paraben and cruelty free.
Please pop in and take a look!
Holistic Health March is National Bed Month. Follow this guide to help you have the perfect night’s sleep.
I
f you have always fallen straight to sleep as soon as your head touches the pillow, it can be hard to know what’s changed if you suddenly start having problems sleeping. This article will help you to identify some simple changes you can make to ensure you get a good night's sleep. Can't sleep? You may start to worry if you haven’t been sleeping very well, but missing out on a night or two’s sleep isn’t usually harmful to your health. It will just make you feel tired, and then a few good nights of rest should mean you’re back on form.?However, if you don’t get a good sleep for several nights, you may start to feel: constantly tired sleepy during the day and may even fall asleep unable to concentrate indecisive depressed This is when it can start affecting your health and it’s worth thinking about whether it may be your lifestyle or environment that’s disrupting your sleep. Sleep hygiene It may seem obvious, but if you have put up with a lumpy mattress or noisy neighbours for years, it can be easy to overlook these things as the cause of your sleep deprivation. It’s worth thinking about the following points to ensure that you have good sleeping habits – referred to as ‘sleep hygiene’.
10
Is your mattress comfy? A mattress that’s too firm or too soft won’t support you properly. You generally need to replace a mattress every 10 years to get the best support and comfort. Make sure your bedroom is comfortable and quiet, and not too hot or too cold. Think about if there are any noises or lighting that may be waking you – if so, can you reduce their effects? You might need thicker curtains or blinds if you’re blasted with sunlight in the morning, particularly in the summer time. Earplugs can help if your partner’s snoring is the cause of your troubles. Only use your bedroom for sleep or sex – rather than working, eating or watching TV. This will help you to associate the bedroom with being a relaxing environment. Good routine Our bodies get used to a routine. If you’re up until the early hours and sleep in late for a few days in a row, your body won’t be ready for sleep if you try to go to bed early the
Please mention CONNECTION when responding to adverts
following night. Try to go to bed and get up at the same times each day – even at the weekend. Don’t nap during the day. Establish a regular bedtime routine – take some time out to relax and wind down before going to bed by having a warm bath, sitting in a quiet place or reading. Stress less Feeling stressed or anxious is a key reason for insomnia. If you’re stressed or worried about something, writing down your thoughts before going to sleep can help. If this doesn’t help, get up and do something relaxing for 20 minutes, such as reading a book or watching television, then try to get back to sleep later.?Some people find that practising relaxation techniques, such as listening to self-hypnosis CDs, meditation or t'ai chi, before going to bed can distract you from your day and make you feel calm before rest.?It’s important to recognise if you’re stressed, and to do something about it if it’s becoming a serious problem and making you tired. Often, talking to a friend, relative or counsellor can help to put things into perspective. Eat and drink well What you eat and drink, and when, affects your energy levels. Caffeine and alcohol can stop you from going to sleep or can wake you up in the middle of the night, so try not to drink either too close to the time you go to bed.?If you eat sugary foods or a heavy meal too late at night, it can also affect how well you sleep, so try having your main meal earlier in the day.
Exercise wise If you combine eating healthily with physical activity – 150 minutes of moderate exercise over a week in bouts of 10 minutes or more is recommended – this should help you to sleep better, meaning you have more energy the next day. If you haven’t exercised for a while, start slowly and build up. Once you get into a routine, not only will you feel fitter and less tired, but you’re likely to find that you sleep better too. The best time to exercise is during the day, particularly late in the afternoon or early evening. If you exercise later than this, it can disturb your sleep, as it can leave you feeling invigorated and more awake – making it harder for you to get to sleep. Take care If you’re not sleeping well, it’s important not to do activities that may put you or others in danger if you’re tired. This can include driving, operating machinery or having to make crucial decisions at work or home.?If you continue to have trouble sleeping after trying the above measures – particularly if it’s been going on for longer than a month – it’s worth asking your GP for advice.
To advertise in CONNECTION please call 01737 831498
11
Get Fit For Life! PT instructor Jade asks, are you REALLY hungry?
T
he difference between physical hunger and emotional hunger is big but most don’t know the difference when it hits them. It should be simple to tell whether you're actually hungry, but that usually isn't the case. So many things can make you reach for a snack before you realize you don't physically need one. Physical hungry usually builds gradually and with emotional hunger it can develop suddenly. Emotional can be random and can persist even when you have eaten loads. Physical goes away and can be suppressed with stress, but emotional is activated with stress! In order to stop emotional eating, you have to find other ways to fulfill yourself emotionally. It’s not enough to understand the cycle of emotional eating or even to understand your triggers, although that’s a huge first step. You need alternatives to food that you can turn to for emotional fulfillment. Think about what is making you eat, and why. Stress levels, habits, boredom or just social situations. Hunger and appetite aren’t the same things. Hunger is completely different from appetite. Hunger is an inborn instinct and is defined as the ‘need for food.’ Your body lets you know you’re running low on fuel and that a meal is needed to provide your body with the necessary energy (food) it needs to perform an activity. Appetite is a learned response to
14
food and is defined as the ‘desire for food.’ Think first! Knowing the difference between hunger and appetite is half the battle when it comes to weight loss. Do you feel a little weak, shaky, or fatigued? This is usually a clear sign that your body needs some fuel. If you aren’t sure if you’re really hungry, just wait a little while. Find something else to distract you and then check in with yourself a little later. If you are truly getting hungry, your stomach and the rest of your body will definitely let you know! If you instead just pay attention to your body’s hunger signals and eat accordingly, losing weight is much more natural and easy. There is nothing saying you can’t eat when you’re not hungry, but if you do that often, you may end up eating a lot more calories than your body really needs, resulting in weight gain. Being aware of your body’s signals after eating is just as important to feelings before and during eating. In general, the slower you eat, the easier it is to listen to your body’s needs and naturally you should then eat less. CALL JADE ON 07564525351 for more information, nutrition advice or plans and Personal Training or EMAIL jadeptraining@hotmail.com LEGS, BUMS AND TUMS FRIDAY 9.30AM CHURCH HALL, BUCKLAND ROAD, LOWER KINGSWOOD, KT20 7DN
Please mention CONNECTION when responding to adverts
HEALTH, BEAUTY AND FITNESS
Waltons is expanding Due to a salon refit coming soon we have created space for alternative therapies, beauty therapists and nail technicians. If you are self-employed with your own micro business Waltons can provide *turn key facilities in an exclusive area *professional salon with proven expertise over many years Please e-mail your CV to jocou638@btinternet.com Any more info, please call John or Jill on 01737 812433 WALTON SALON, 17 WALTON STREET, TADWORTH KT20 7RW www.waltonsalon.co.uk
LOSE WEIGHT THE HEALTHY WAY! Fed up with countless diets which don’t work? Fed up with your ongoing struggle with managing your weight? WHY NOT TRY ‘BE HEALTHY’ ‘Be Healthy’ is a weight loss programme designed to empower you to make permanent lifestyle changes to lose weight and keep it off for good. For more information, please contact Rachel (Dietician, HCPC registered and member of BDA) by email: behealthy2017@hotmail.com or call 07931 931773
To advertise in CONNECTION please call 01737 831498
15
HOMES & GARDENS
16
Please mention CONNECTION when responding to adverts
Local Artists Join Forces to Host Affordable Art Exhibitions in Surrey
T
wo local artists have teamed up to organise affordable art fairs in Surrey – affordable for both artists and art collectors. Tracey Jane Cooper from Tadworth and Kirstin Wood from Merstham met via Twitter when they were both searching for new avenues to display their art work. They both produce vibrant contemporary art from their home studios and have searched online for events and exhibitions locally. There seemed to be a gap in the market and so the artists approached another local businesswoman with the idea of setting up a pop up art gallery. Carolynne Farrer owns TEA in Reigate and is very keen to support other local businesses and agreed to provide the venue for their first few art exhibitions. Tracey Jane and Kirstin put on several events at TEA through the year and have now decided to continue their success by finding larger venues and inviting other artists to join them. Speaking about the lack of local events Kirstin said “it's hard to find a local event to display my art as the choice is between a £20 stall at a craft fair in a church hall or a £700 stand at a national art fair, there is no middle ground.” Tracey Jane adds “we decided to provide artists with the opportunity to
18
display their work for a more reasonable price, which means that the price of the work can be kept affordable for the art collector.” It seems that everyone is a winner! Surrey Art Fairs have hosted several successful pop up art galleries in Guildford, Dorking, Reigate and Redhill and will be returning to Denbies Wine Estate in Dorking for a two week exhibition from the 20th February to the 5th March 2017. The exhibition will feature the work of 16 local contemporary artists with a variety of styles and themes – from vibrant pointillist landscapes to colourful semi abstracts; paintings that evoke memories of past holidays; landscape photography with a twist and gorgeous contemporary pet portraits. All the work is held together with one common thread – affordability and accessibility. Come along to chat with the artists, even watch them at work and buy affordable original art, prints and greeting cards. Surrey Art Fairs are keen to hear from local artists looking for affordable art fairs as well as unusual local venues interested in hosting exhibitions – please get in touch via email at surreyartfairs@aol.com www.facebook.com/surreyartfairs www.twitter.com/surreyartfairs
Please mention CONNECTION when responding to adverts
Legal Matters
I
Should you be a Property and Financial Affairs Attorney?
f you have been asked to be an Attorney under a Property & Financial Affairs Lasting Power of Attorney it is probably by someone you know well. Being an Attorney is an important responsibility and you need to be aware of what it involves. An Attorney should be trustworthy and reliable, chosen to act on behalf of someone else (called “the Donor”), usually in the event that they lack the ability to make their own decisions. An Attorney must be over 18, have mental capacity and not be bankrupt. As an Attorney you should have the relevant financial skills ie. to manage bank accounts or sell the Donor’s house, have time to help, know the person well and be confident that you could make decisions in the best interests of the Donor even if others do not agree and be able to work with any other Attorneys. Once the Lasting Power of Attorney has been registered with the Office of the Public Guardian the Attorney under a Property & Financial Affairs Lasting Power can act straight away if the Donor wants them to. They can continue to act if the Donor were to loose mental capacity. An Attorney should find out how the Donor looks after their finances. For example, do they give birthday gifts, donate to particular charities, prefer to rent out their home rather than sell if they needed to go into care? They should also know where the Donor keeps their important financial papers. All financial decisions made by the Attorney should be recorded and receipts kept for any purchases made on their behalf. Mental capacity can fluctuate and whilst an Attorney needs to have a “reasonable belief” about the Donor’s
20
mental capacity to make decisions how often capacity needs to be checked will depend on whether their condition stays the same or deteriorates. An Attorney should check whether the Donor has a general understanding of the decision that needs to be made, the consequences and be able to weigh up information in order to make the decision. All decisions made by the Attorney must be in the Donor’s best interests. Any instructions in the Lasting Power should be followed and the moral, political or religious views of the Donor should be observed. No assumptions should be made based on the Donor’s age, gender, ethnic background, sexuality, behavior or health. Next steps? If you would like to discuss this further then please do not hesitate to contact Nicola Dudley at PWT Advice LLP on 0345 833 9025 or 07900 931478, ndudley@pwtadvice.co.uk.
A local niche firm of solicitors specialising in:
Inheritance Tax Planning Wills, Trusts, Probate Lasting Powers of Attorney Fees are fixed and we provide full inheritance tax planning advice with even our basic wills. Home visits to suit can be arranged. To discuss your requirements please call Nicola Dudley on:
0345 833 9025 or 07900 931478
ndudley@pwtadvice.co.uk
Please mention CONNECTION when responding to adverts
HOMES & GARDENS
FINISHING TOUCH Property Refurbishment
Howdens Kitchens supplied & fitted Design and plan service All aspects of tiling and decorating Your satisfaction is our reputation. 20 years experience. Based in Tadworth
Tel: 07857 826363 01737 353139
To advertise in CONNECTION please call 01737 831498
21
Children’s Trust Fundraising Comedy Night
F
Tim Vine and Adam Hills raise £10,000 for children with brain injury
amous for his one liners and never-ending stream of props, funny-man Tim Vine took time out of his busy schedule on 6th February to host The Children's Trust Comedy Night. Held at The Comedy Store, London, the event raised almost £10,000 for children with brain injury. Having sold out within weeks, the evening was attended by 400 comedy buffs and charity supporters who were keen to see the line-up of top class comedians all whom donated their time for the charity. Acts included Adam Hills (The Last Leg) supporter of The Children's Trust, Charlie Baker, Angela Barnes (Newsjack), Tom Lucy, Elliot Steel and comedy sketch group Birthday Girls. Tim Vine said: ‘Lots of us have hurdles to overcome in life, but to have such a huge set back, a brain injury, at such a young age is unimaginable. I’ve been to The Children’s Trust and they do
24
fantastic work. I’m delighted that we were able to do something that will help in some small way. It was an amazing night, and it's always great fun to play the iconic Comedy Store. The audience loved it. They laughed at my jokes too, which is always a bonus.’ Tracy Poulton, fundraiser from The Children's Trust said: ‘t was a fabulous evening and we’re delighted to have raised nearly £10,000. We’re extremely grateful to the comedians for generously giving their time, and those who came along to support The Children's Trust. We couldn’t have asked for a better night.’
Please mention CONNECTION when responding to adverts
HOMES & GARDENS
ALAN SMITH
GENERAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE Bathrooms – Kitchens – Ceramic Tiling
All Building, Decorating & Refurbishment Work.
Small Jobs and Handyman Tasks also Undertaken.
Tel: 07801 560738 01737 833448
email: smithalan17@aol.com
Website under construction www.alansmithgpm.co.uk
Domestic and Commercial Cleaning, Ironing, Carpet Cleaning
Let us take control of your domestic chores! We will leave your house spotless and in perfect order. Reliable and professional service tailored to your lifestyle needs and budget. For further information or to book a no-obligation free quote, please call: 07811 138766 www.starscleaningcompany.com To advertise in CONNECTION please call 01737 831498
25
Your Local Carpet Cleaning Expert
Professional, Eco-Friendly Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Carpet Care Plus is owned and operated by Steve Barnett. Based in Walton on the Hill and covering the whole of Surrey, he has 30 years experience in the carpet industry and offers the following services:
. Carpet Cleaning - including stain removal and stain protection.
. Upholstery Cleaning - including leather furniture. . Rug Cleaning - including fine oriental rugs. . Tile & Grout Cleaning - including stone, marble and ceramic floors.
. New Carpets supplied and expertly installed - samples brought to your home. We have invested heavily over the years in the best training and equipment, which makes Carpet Care Plus the first choice for Professional Carpet Cleaning for many satisfied clients in Surrey By using Carpet Care Plus, you can be sure of friendly, quality customer service, competitive prices and peace of mind that your home and furnishings will be treated with respect.
Call Steve for your FREE QUOTATION
07768 648863 www.carpetcareplus.co.uk
HOMES & GARDENS
Bespoke electrical design and installation All types of electrical work undertaken. Domestic Garden lighting Re-wires etc New builds/extensions Plus commercial Call Matt on 07972 582427 mjsayers@ethos-electrical.co.uk
. . . . .
To advertise in CONNECTION please call 01737 831498
27
Getting your garden ready for Spring
A
lthough the weather across the country is slowly warming, most plants are still dormant. That makes it a great time to start planning and preparing your garden for spring. Here are our top 10 tips of things you can do to ensure your garden’s ready for spring and all things green: 1 Clear away and compost the dead stalks of perennials that provided seeds and cover to birds and other wildlife over the winter but may harbour unwanted diseases and bugs. 2 Prune shrubs and small trees to maintain good form and vigour. 3 Rake lawns to remove winter debris. This also helps aerate the soil to ensure air gets in to the root zone. 4 Start turning over your compost pile. The deteriorated organic material at the bottom of the pile can make great mulch to spread over the garden. 5 Wash summer hummingbird and butterfly feeders thoroughly to avoid the buildup of harmful moulds and bacteria.
28
6 Clean out bird boxes to avoid diseases and pests such as mites that can harm feathered visitors to your garden. 7 Take the time now to plan new beds or revitalize existing ones to get ready for planting in a few weeks' time. For new or expanded beds, dig areas early and add organic matter (well-rotted compost is great) to improve the soil. 8 Build a bat or bird box to attract new species to your yard. 9 Learn about what plants are native to your area and find out how you can restore a couple of species to your garden. Contact your local gardening or nature club about plants and invasive species that are known to be of concern in your area and avoid buying them. If they already are present, remove them.
Please mention CONNECTION when responding to adverts
Unit 1, 205 St Andrews Road, West Coulsdon CR5 3HN info@getconnectedelec.co.uk 07778 427231/07917 196861
01737 370 869 Get Connected Electrical Contractors Ltd is a professional, friendly company based in Surrey, covering London and the South East. With 40 years experience in Domestic, Commercial and Industrial Installations, we pride ourselves in providing a fully comprehensive service. All our work is carried out in accordance to the BS 7671 IET Wiring Regulations (17th Edition) and on completion is tested and certified by one of our qualified technicians.
.. .. .. .. ..
Your satisfaction is our guarantee! Domestic Rewires Fuse Board Changes Garden Lighting & Power Additional Sockets & Lighting Commercial Fit outs 3 Phase Supplies Emergency Lighting Fault Finding & Rectification Inspection, Testing & Certification Electrical Maintenance
www.getconnectedelec.co.uk
Computer Tips
L
ast year I encouraged my clients to purchase Office Home & Student 2016 or 2013, if on a budget. The reason for this was because although Microsoft office 365 was trialling for free, we knew that they were moving to a subscription basis where the product would be renewable each year, following other software providers for eg: Adobe products. Sure enough a client that was persuaded to have 365 is now finding a renewable notification totalling £79 to continue using the product. When it expires in February they will no longer be able to edit their documents. The cost of Office 2016 or 2013 is around £85-£90 on
from Keystroke Associates Amazon. The cost of ‘365’ is £79 per year which over a five year period is going to be £395 approximately as I have not allowed for product increase. I can think of better acquisitions to make with this overspend on a product that most of us use a tiny percentage of! Want to know more call Judy on: 01883 346 516 If you want help on anything IT, call Judy on 01883 346 516.
CleanAbility “We clean so you don’t have to”
Domestic and Commercial cleaning service Competitive rates Ironing service
Call Sherry on
01342 842628 07855 340929 Still working in the KT20 area References available on request
32
Please mention CONNECTION when responding to adverts
Community Noticeboard info@ktconnection.co.uk CARSHALTON DIABETES UK GROUP NEXT EVENING MEETING:Learn more about Diabetes and your heart. A talk by Dr. Bajpai, Consultant Cardiologist. 7.30 pm on Thursday 2nd March 2017 at The Friends Meeting House, 10 Cedar Road, Sutton, SM2 5DA NEXT DAYTIME MEETING:Reflections on Living with Diabetes Facilitated by Dr. Nicky Smart, Clinical Psychologist 2.30 pm on Friday 10th March 2017 at the Diabetes Centre, 2nd floor, Block A, St. Helier Hospital, Wrythe Lane, Carshalton SM5 1AA People with Diabetes, their families and friends are all welcome Further details at www.diabetesukcarshalton.org.uk or phone 07983 628071 Sutton Dyslexia Assocation Wednesday 15th March 2017 at 8 p.m. How to Make Spelling Effective and Fun – Geraldine Lacey, Independent Specialist Literacy and SEN Consultant (Formerly of Croydon Literacy Centre) Sutton Dyslexia Association, The Friends Meeting House, 10 Cedar Road, Sutton Come along to Geraldine’s talk to hear how you can help your children to improve their spelling and have a bit of fun along the way! There will be lots of practical advice for anyone who has spelling difficulties, whether or not they are dyslexic. FREE admission. For further details, please contact 07948 702491 www.suttondyslexia.org.uk
To advertise in CONNECTION please call 01737 831498
33
Community Noticeboard info@ktconnection.co.uk
34
Please mention CONNECTION when responding to adverts
Community Noticeboard info@ktconnection.co.uk SUTTON FAMILY GROUP DOES YOUR CHILD HAVE DIABETES? Come to our group to meet other parents who live with children with Diabetes and share experiences Contact Louise Poston 07974 085 387 t1suttonfamilygroup@gmail.com Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1nI8316 Website: http://sutton-family.diabetesukgroup.org TADWORTH SPRING 2017 MODEL RAILWAY EXHIBITION 10.00 AM - 5.00 PM Saturday 18th March 2017 The Good Shepherd Church Hall Station Approach Road Tadworth, Surrey KT20 5AH Organiser: North Downs Model Railway Circle Open: 10.00-17.00 Admission: Adults £5, under 16’s £3, senior citizens £4, and families (2+2) £10. All profits to Good Shepherd Church. Amenities: free parking, venue is close to station and bus stop, refreshments, facilities for disabled visitors. Features: Thirty layouts, demonstration, and trade support Exhibition Website http://www.ndmrc.info/Home/Tadworth.htm Contact Stuart Robinson 07758 458827 & stuart.robinson27@ntlworld.com
To advertise in CONNECTION please call 01737 831498
35