September 2015 Connection

KT

CONNECTION

THE COMMUNITY MAGAZINE AND DIRECTORY FOR RESIDENTS OF KT20

september 2015 issue 91

Interior Design Tips for the new season: Part 1 Paint smaller rooms in softer, lighter colors to help make the room feel larger.

The living room above is a great example of how to maximize a small living space. A room of this size has the tendency to seem cramped, but the large windows, light colored walls and ample use of mirrors not only reflect the natural light pouring in from the doors and the windows but the use of mirrors also gives the optical illusion of space, making the room seem larger than it actually is.

Use decorative mirrors to add instant light to your living space.

Mirrors can also be used to make a small space feel larger. For larger rooms, or any room with a more limited amount of natural light, mirrors placed directly across from the windows, will add instant light. Decorative mirrors can also be used in lieu of art to fill empty wall space.

Mix up patterns and textures. Mix up old and new, expensive and inexpensive.

There’s nothing wrong with placing family heirlooms alongside your modern couch as it reflects who you are, your personality and your style. The antique Chippendale desk that was your grandfather’s tells a story of your past.

The modern couch you fell in love with and simply had to purchase also tells a story, your present story, and there is no reason why the present and past can’t co-exist beautifully together. The same

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can be said for art. With fabrics whether it be furniture, rugs or pillows, varied colors and patterns can bring warmth and texture into your living space.

Slip into something a little more comfortable!

Use what you already have to decorate.

We all have items in our possession, probably packed up in boxes somewhere and haven’t given them a second glance. Your home needs some accessories. Instead of running to the store, take a good look at what you already have. Trays, wooden, acrylic, metal or silver can be placed on top of luggage racks, tea carts, trunks, bedside tables, wicker baskets and coffee tables for extra texture and dimension. Arrange candles on them, frames or pile books on top of them.

Plates can be hung to create wonderful wall art. Art from children’s books can be framed and hung in nurseries, children’s rooms or their bathrooms. You will be amazed at what you can do with what you already have!

Do you want to earn some extra money on the side?

Cash in hand?

Reliable distributors are needed for Connection Magazine.

Good rates of pay!

If interested, call Katie on 01737 831498 or email: info@ktconnection.co.uk

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HOMES & GARDENS

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HOMES & GARDENS

Chris C Guy Plastering Ltd

Domestic and Commercial Cleaning, Ironing, Carpet Cleaning

Let us take control of your domestic chores!

PROFESSIONAL FIRM WITH 10+ YEARS EXP. DOMESTIC OR COMMERCIAL FAST, FRIENDLY & CLEAN For all internal and external plastering works please call Chris on

07740 860 560

or email chrisguyplastering@gmail.com (Based in Tadworth)

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 10

Collection and delivery available 67 Walton Street, Walton on the Hill KT20 7RZ

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Legal Matters

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Nicola Dudley on the Summer Budget and inheritence tax

n this year’s summer Budget the Chancellor announced plans to increase the amount charged to Inheritance Tax at 0% on an individual’s estate for those who pass their home to their children. Currently, Inheritance Tax is charged at 40% on the amount by which the estate exceeds the current nil rate band of £325,000. The current nil rate band is fixed until April 2018 and the new proposals effectively mean that it will stay at the same level until 2021.

However, the government plans to introduce an additional nil rate band from April 2017. The allowance is to be in addition to the 0% charge on the first £325,000 and will be up to £100,000 per individual in 2017-2018, up to £125,000 in 2018-2019, up to £150,000 in 2019-2020 and up to £175,000 in 2020-2021. From 2021 the intention is that the additional band will increase with inflation.

Potentially, if your home is sold for £350,000 or less following your death no Inheritance Tax will be payable on the sale.

However, the new relief will be unavailable for those leaving behind a property worth more than £2.35 million as there will be a tapered withdrawal of the relief for estates with a value of more than £2 million at a rate of £1 for every £2 in excess of £2 million.

The increased allowance will be limited to the family home and only available when passing to children or grandchildren ie. direct descendants, so does not include individuals without children.

It is also proposed that the new nil rate band will be protected if an individual chooses to downsize their home by bringing in an “IHT credit” which can be applied for when the property is sold. This means that if you downsize from a house worth £200,000 to one worth £100,000 your estate could benefit from the

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maximum allowance of £175,000 in tax year 2020-21 if you leave your home and £75,000 to direct descendants.

Inheritance Tax will only be payable if the total estate exceeds £500,000 ie £325,000 plus £175,000 at 0%. Each individual who downsizes on or after 8th July 2015 will be able to make use of this credit.

So, not a simple increase in the nil rate band to £1 million. In fact, possibly a more complicated Inheritance Tax regime as it is not clear how this “credit” will work in practice or how it will be applied as far as the transferrable nil rate band between spouses and civil partners is concerned. It may, however, be worth giving notice to HMRC if you do downsize to secure the credit.

Next steps?

If you would like to discuss this further then please do not hesitate to contact Nicola Dudley at PWT Advice LLP on 0845 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:

0845 833 9025 or 07900 931478

ndudley@pwtadvice.co.uk

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HOMES & GARDENS

Robert Clark mobile: 07710 384446 Construction email: robclarkconstruction@sky.com tel: 01737 832794

Robert Clark building since 1975, we are a family run business and fully insured based in Tadworth.

We cover Kingswood/Tadworth and surrounding areas throughout Surrey. Our builders are qualified in all building services including House Extensions, Loft Conversions, Painting and decorating and Landscaping.

We offer a complete building service which includes: New home builds Extensions and renovations Kitchens and bathrooms Interior and Exterior decorating Landscaping Driveways and patios Decking and Fencing New roofs and roof repairs

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HOMES & GARDENS

Wasp season is here.

Deal with the problem professionally and safely by calling 01737 558844 or 07958 300219.

Moths, bedbugs, fleas, flies,

Pest problems dealt with all year round.

cockroaches, spiders and ants

Fast, affordable and professional

dealt with. Rid your property of rats,

treatment on all jobs.

mice and squirrels discreetly.

Discretion and safety a priority.

Various options offered to deal with your pest problems such as using trapping methods rather than rodenticides where possible.

Weekend call outs available at no extra cost.

Only top quality products carried R.S.P.H. Level 2 Certified Full Public Liability Insurance to ÂŁ5 million.

Call Gerry for advice on your problem 01737558844 or 07958300219 email: emereldisle@hotmail.com

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5 Heathwood, High Street, Tadworth Surrey KT20 5RB 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

Discover the secret of naturally beautiful skin with 100% organic SHEA BUTTER If you suffer from dry skin or cracked heels and nothing you’ve used helps then Shea Butter could do the trick.

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hea butter is one of nature’s richest moisturisers. It has been traditionally used in Africa for centuries to keep skin soft and protected, and has long been coveted for its healing properties. It contains a rich amount of unremovable fatty acid which is crucial to rejuvenating and moisturizing the skin.

Shea Butter provides all the essential vitamins needed to make skin look and feel smoother, softer and most importantly, healthier. Its therapeutic properties protect the skin from wind, cold, sun and it helps heal wounds faster. Shea Butter stimulates cellular activity, fights the effects of aging and repairs rough, damaged skin.

The Bwari Soap Company’s shea butter is extracted from the nuts of the African shea tree (known as ‘The Tree of Life’) by village women in a

. . . . .

Benefits of Shea Butter: Treatment of dry skin, cracked heels, nappy rash and minor burns.

Pain relief from swelling and arthritis.

Improves muscle relaxation and stiffness.

Sunscreen due to its rich content of vitamin E & F. Treats dark spots, skin discolouration, stretch marks, wrinkles and blemishes.

community-lead initiative in Bwari Pottery Village, Nigeria, using traditional knowledge that has been passed from mother to daughter.

Available now from:

The Natural Way

10 High Street, Bansted SM7 2LJ

01737 371007 or call 07961 966635 for direct orders. tel:

KT

CONNECTION

The best quality local advertising around!

Over the past eight and a half years, almost half a million copies haved winged their way around 5,300 homes, shops and businesses in Kingswood, Tadworth, Lower Kingswood, Walton on the Hill and Burgh Heath every month.

And with prices starting at just £25 for an eighth of a page, it’s the best value advertising around too! Over 400 local businesses have advertised in these pages to great effect.

Connection just ticks all the boxes!

✔ Handy A5 size, full colour, gloss paper ✔ Local, delivered free to 5,300 homes ✔ Monthly distribution and interesting – read and ✔ Lively retained ✔ Useful community information KT

CONNECTION Call Connection Magazine today on

01737 831498

to reserve your space in the next issue.

Eighth of page advert £25 Quarter Page advert £44 Half Page advert £60 Full Page advert £88 Call for Premium Page rates

email: info@ktconnection.co.uk

“I started advertising in Connection Magazine in April 2011 and the response has been tremendous! The phone calls have risen month on month and I now get on average 5 calls a week. This has made a big difference to my business. I could safely say that 20% of my work comes from the adverts with Connection.“ Motor Vehicle Services “In the first two years of being in Connection Magazine I have won jobs, directly from that advert, which amount to £20,000 of profit, not turnover, profit!”

Carpet care plus “We have been advertising with Connection for around 7 years, we have found it a great way to advertise our offers and news from the salon and have gained a lot of clients through this. We often have clients comment on the fact that they see our adverts every month.

The adverts always look fab and I would definitely recommend Connection to any local business looking to advertise!”

Bliss Hair Salon

Surrey’s National Eye Health Week 21-27th September

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embers of the public will be able to experience a taste of life without sight when Sight for Surrey provides a range of activities for the public in Redhill on Saturday 26 September as part of National Eye Health Week 2015 (21-27 September).

Staff and volunteers from the charity will be in Redhill High Street inviting people to carry out everyday tasks whilst blindfolded and to wear ‘sim specs’ (glasses that simulate various sight loss conditions) to experience living with a vision impairment and highlight the importance of eye health.

The charity’s mobile bus service will also be present to showcase a range of equipment that can transform the lives of people with hearing loss.

Sight for Surrey’s Chief Executive, Bob Hughes, said: “This is a fantastic community engagement event and it will allow us to highlight the importance of having regular eye tests to avoid preventable eye conditions.

“We would also like to offer members of the public the comfort of knowing that should they be diagnosed with a vision impairment, Sight for Surrey is here to provide the right support to help them lead the lives they want to lead.”

Sight for Surrey has a highly skilled assessment and rehabilitation team 20

who can offer support and training to enable individuals to adapt to life with a vision impairment. They offer a holistic, person-centred approach which is focused on meeting the needs of adults, young people and often their families. Although based in Fetcham, they have an Outreach Team that is present in every borough of the county to ensure people are supported on a regular basis.

The charity also provides a range of other services such as befriending, computer training, communication classes and benefits advice.

Its Young Person’s Recreation Team provides a range of stimulating and exciting events for its younger service users, with the aim of enhancing their social skills and improving their confidence in unfamiliar settings.

A recent development is its Employment Group which supports and mentors people of a working age with a vision impairment who are either in work or would like to be in work. This includes helping young adults who are thinking about a chosen career pathway.

Anyone who wishes to find out more about the roadshows or general information can visit www.sightforsurrey.org.uk or tel: 01372 377701 or email: helpdesk@sightforsurrey.org.uk

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HOMES & GARDENS

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Clean Carpets = Healthy Homes

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 collect and return service. . 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

Calling all Volunteers!

Volunteers needed to support people at home with life-threatening illness The Brigitte Trust is celebrating 30 years of service to the Community and is the proud recipient of the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service 2015

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rigitte Trust volunteers offer a free service of emotional support, respite time and practical help at home, to individuals and families facing the effects of cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. During the past year we have supported over 200 Surrey families and we need new volunteers to continue and expand this vital service in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support.

Make Autumn 2015 the time you join the volunteer team at The Brigitte Trust.

You will be joining a charity offering valuable help at a time of real need.

The Trust is recruiting now for its next free volunteer training course in September, which will be in Epsom. Full training and support will be provided to volunteers who are asked to commit four hours each week. Once trained, volunteers will visit locally.

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We will give you the skills to make a real difference.

Call Sharon in the office on: (01306) 881816 or email brigittetrustadmin@btconnect.com today and have an informal talk about what the Trust can offer. More can be found on the training page of our website. www.brigittetrust.org 316 High Street Dorking Surrey RH4 1QX reg. Charity 288923

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Holistic Health

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with Eleana Needham

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HEALTH, BEAUTY & FITNESS

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Get Fit For Life!

Personal trainer Jade Parsons takes it back to basics

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xercise is not about your weight it’s about your health. It’s about making your life better, making you feel better and helping you to live longer.

It can reduce your risk of many major illnesses like heart disease, stroke, diabetes and even cancer by up to 50% and lower your risk of early death by up to 30%. Being active and adding exercise into your day is essential if you want to live a healthy and fulfilling life into old age.

Most people are less active now because technology has got in the way. People aged over 65 now spend 10 hours or more each day sitting or lying down, which makes them the most sedentary age group! This needs to change as it’s only making people worse. This is all adding to an increase in many chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes, as well as weight gain and obesity.

Exercise is not a miracle cure for these things but it sure helps!

FACT: every year in the UK, over 41,000 people die from stroke and nearly 74,000 from coronary heart disease. Inactive people have an increased risk of dying from heart disease.

Building yourself up to joining a gym or finding time to go is not the easiest thing, so why not do daily family walks or even go on your own, it all helps!

FACT: One in three people in the UK have lower back pain each year, but people who exercise are less likely to

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get it. If you have lower back pain, exercise can help to reduce it.

I have a back problem myself and it has been the only real long lasting thing that has helped me. I have a few clients that really do feel that doing exercise has change and improved their back pain, even from only a few sessions of exercise. Backs and the pains they can cause can be a real problem and stop people doing lots of things. Adding exercise into your day can really help loosen things up and make your back stronger.

Exercise and activity in younger people and children can help increase bone mineral density and help to maintain strong bones. It also will help to slow down bone degeneration later in life, and exercising regularly can help to prevent osteoporosis.

The right exercise to start with is something that will raise your heart rate and make you breathe faster and feel warmer. You get lots health benefits from strength exercises also, you can use everyday things to do this as well as going to a gym.

That does not mean you won’t lose weight from exercise but that should not be the only reason you exercise.

Not everyone will lose weight from exercise you need to be doing the right exercise and the right amount of it.

Losing weight is 70% or more about the foods you consume.

Call 07564 525351 for personal training and nutrition guidance or email jadeptraining@hotmail.com Working at Twist Gym Kingswood.

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HOMES & GARDENS

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Visit our Kingswood showroom at:

1-2 Brighton Road, Lower Kingswood, Tadworth KT20 6SY Or contact us on:

01737 669759 info@swtflooring.co.uk

We’ll beat any quote on a like for like basis.

QUOTE KTCWOOD and get FREE underlay worth £4.99 sq.m with all wood orders.

QUOTE KTCAMTICO for a FREE Amtico mat worth £39.99 with all Amtico orders.

QUOTE KTCCARPET for a FREE underlay upgrade worth £3.99 sq.m with all carpet orders.

Computer Tips

from Keystroke Associates

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ue to a couple of visits with clients recently I would ask the question: How old is your router? The reason for this is that one hub was extremely hot and one hub would not allow connection of an ipad in another room. It is well worth you checking your contract with your provider. If you are over the contract term and are happy with the provider it would be worth giving them a call. Typically BT’s new Hub is a Hub 5 (Free)and will be posted to you (£30 activation fee & £6.95 P & P) simply by renewing your contract. One of my clients found she was suddenly paying less than half what she had been paying and she got a brand new state of the art

router which had a wireless signal far superior to the previous model. It could save you £’s for a few minutes on the phone. e have sent an email out to all our customers, but if you are with BT, they are going to start charging you £5 a month for BT sport if you don’t want it you have to downgrade to BT lite which can be done online or by phone. If you need our help call 01883 346 516.

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For further advice on all things computing, please call Keystroke Associates on 01883 346516.

CleanAbility “We clean so you don’t have to”

Domestic and Commercial cleaning service Competitive rates Ironing service also available

Call Sherry on

01737 559896 07855 340929 References available on request

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Community Noticeboard info@ktconnection.co.uk

Epsom Talks!

Literature, travel, music, science and diplomacy are all represented in the new series of talks planned by Epsom and Ewell Literary Society for its forthcoming season starting on Wednesday 7 October at 7.45 pm at Epsom Playhouse.

The first of the monthly lectures will be given by Denise Heywood: ‘Laos – the Last Paradise’ takes a look at this fascinating country which in the 1970s was drawn into the war with Vietnam and became the most heavily bombed nation on earth. Publicity Officer Sue Merchant said: ‘Our new programme really does have something for everyone, and we are fortunate to have so many distinguished speakers’.

Membership represents great value at £32 for eight meetings, but it is also possible to purchase tickets for individual lectures at the door. For further information about the exciting programme for 2015/16, please go to www.epsomlit.org.uk, email info@epsomlit.org.uk, or telephone Elizabeth Mackie, Membership Secretary, on 01737 355300.

NO VAT!

It’s a dirty job – why do it yourself!

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Community Noticeboard info@ktconnection.co.uk

Invitation to Tadworth Court Mansion on Heritage Day Sunday 13th September

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adworth Court, home of The Children’s Trust at Tadworth Surrey, will be opening the doors to its historic mansion on Sunday 13th September as part of the annual Heritage Open Days. This national event celebrates England’s architecture and culture by offering free access to properties that are usually closed to the public or normally charge for admission. It is a oncea-year chance to discover hidden architectural treasures and enjoy a wide range of tours, events and activities which bring to life local history and culture.

Tadworth Court, a Grade 1 Listed Building, was built around 1700 and is a good surviving example of its type and a hidden secret in Surrey. Visitors will be able to access areas of the mansion, not usually open to the public, in order to view its impressive exterior stonework and striking interior features.

The mansion also has an intriguing past and, through a display focused on the ancestry of Tadworth Court, visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the people who have made it their home or investment since 1700 to the present day. It is a story which includes merchant traders, High Sheriffs and politicians, as well as a mysterious painting which has generated much folklore about the haunting of the mansion.

Rachel Turner, Voluntary Services Manager at The Children's Trust, said: “We have around a hundred people that visit us on our Heritage Open Day every year and our tours are very popular. It is a great opportunity for people – both local and from further afield – to find out more about what has been described as a splendid house.”

Tours will be running at 11.00am, 1.45pm and 3pm. Advanced booking is strongly advised, but visitors may join tours on the day subject to numbers.

Please contact Rachel Turner on 01737 365002, or email: rturner@thechildrenstrust.org.uk If you would like further information about the history of Tadworth Court, please visit The Children’s Trust website: www.thechildrenstrust.org.uk/history

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