Worcester park life october 2014

Worcester Park Life

KT4’s ONLY FREE independent community magazine and business guide October 14 issue 75

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Dear Readers

So my first born has entered the world of secondary education and second only has two year left at Primary. Yikes! How quickly did that time pass. One big difference between between little school and big is the need to manage a timetable. Each day starts we reference to the timetable which largely results in rushing around getting the various bits of equipment together. Week three and I’ve already had to intercept her twice en route to hand over forgotten items – how lucky is she that I’ve been in a position to do that.

By the time you read this we’ll be into week 4 of the ‘autumn’ term and half term won’t seem that far off.

Outside the sun is shining and temperatures are still high (for the time of year!) although I am now in socks and shoes. If the papers are to believed then October could continue to be, dare I say, warm? I do hope so but bear in mind that off the strength of a newspaper article telling us last year was going to be the coldest winter since I can’t remember when, prompting me to dash out to buy a pair of snow boots that, beyond trying on to make sure they fit, I never wore! So I am not going to hold my breath for an Indian October.

September we had fundraising coffee and cake events for McMillan and November the focus will be on Movember - the leading global organisation committed to changing the face of men’s health. October, however, is breast cancer awareness month. Local writer (and my adopted auntie), Ruth Jemmett has movingly shared her experience of this awful disease with us in this edition. We hope that this may encourage other ladies to get themselves checked.

In the lead up to Christmas remember that we’re here to promote your local Christmas Fairs and Shopping Events – just email the details – and any other events you’re organising.

Anyway, as always, a big thank you to everyone who has contributed and advertised this month. If you’re a local business wanting to reach out to your local community then why not call for a chat about affordable advertising in your local community magazine.

Remember, we deliver to most homes every second month so if you’re not able to pick up a magazine on the months it’s not delivered to you, you can read it on your smart phone/tablet or PC. Finally… don’t forget that the clocks go back at the end of this month (26th October).

Until next month, best wishes

We also publish The Village Voice covering the KT3 postcode

Jenny

Jenny Stuart, Editor & publisher

P.S. Please remember to mention Worcester Park Life when replying to adverts, and get in touch by 17th October if you’d like your business, Club or event to feature in the November edition(s).

Contact jenny@maldenmedia.co.uk 020 8336 2915 www.maldenmedia.co.uk Malden Media Limited 36 Rosebery Avenue, KT3 4JS

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Next copy deadlines: 17th October for November’s editions editions 17th November for December

Please remember to mention Worcester Park Life when you speak to our advertisers

Here at TFG we cater for every building service you may require Please contact our dedicated friendly team for a free estimate or any advice you may need. All of our teams of tradesmen are specialists in their own field. Domestic and Commercial work welcome - We hope we can be of service to you.

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All Aspects of Tree Work & Stump Grinding Digital Aerials and Satellite Installation Service Curtain and Blind design and installation Carpet design and installation Bespoke Wardrobes & Chest of drawers Fireplace and Stove installation Door and window locks and handles repaired or replaced Garage door replacements in a large variety of designs and colours All Aspects of New Gate Installations All ranges of UPVC, Aluminium & Timber Bi-Fold & French Doors

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Worcester Park History Four wheels in Worcester Park

by David Rymill

Some readers may have read of the death in May this year, at the age of 88, of the Australian racing driver Sir Jack Brabham, after whom Brabham Court in Central Road is named; it seems appropriate to look back this month at some aspects of Worcester Park’s motoring history.

Perhaps the first motor engineer’s workshop was located at what is now 48 Central Road, between St Philip’s Avenue and Brinkley Road. By 1926 this was being run by Percy Beale, and the same premises may have been used by William Clarke, who was listed as a motor engineer in Cheam Common Hill, as this part of Central Road was then known, in 1913-18. Very few Worcester Park residents had cars at this time, so it is likely that much of their trade came from passing motorists. Cars of any sort were still something of a novelty: Mary Samuda, who moved to Central Road in 1908 at the age of five,

recalled: “I remember the first car that I ever saw come up Worcester Park hill, because they teased me for ever and ever because I said they’d hired the road.”

Maurice Upperton, who grew up in Lincoln Road in the 1910s-20s, recalled: “Nobody had a car for years and years. I remember my neighbour [Ernest Bing, no. 24] going in for a raffle, and he won a car, and that was a seven-day wonder in Lincoln Road: he was the first man to have a car. It was a twocylinder car, and he proudly invited me to go for a ride in it with his son one day, and we sat in the dicky seat at the back in the open air. He said ‘We’ll go to Friday Street [south-west of Dorking]’. Well, we got as far as the bottom of Coast Hill and we two boys had to walk up, because it wasn’t strong enough to carry three people up.”

Fred Chamberlain (who joined his father in a cycle business at 235 Cheam Common Road in 1946) recalled one of Mr Beale’s successors at 48 Central Road in the post-war years: “Jock White had two petrol pumps. If you wanted petrol you pulled up in the roadway, and he would swing these hosepipes across the pavement; he’d come out still smoking his pipe. If you had a car or motorcycle repair you drove it into the shop, and the floorboards were saturated in oil and grease.”

At the foot of Central Road, to the left of The Brook, formerly the Huntsman’s Hall, Poundland occupies the site of Forge Garage. There was a garage here as far back as the 1920s, replacing an actual forge which occupied a broad but shallow building to the left of the pub, lying well back from the road. The building was already there by the mid-1860s, but it is not clear if it was used as a smithy from the outset, or if originally it simply provided stabling for the pub. Gradually horses began to give way to petrol engines. Tom Parker recalled that “a pair-horse vehicle used to go round

To advertise email jenny@wplife.co.uk or call 020 8336 2915

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delivering petrol in cans,” but by 1926 Albert Bailey was using the premises as a motor workshop. Alan Milbank, who took over the Forge Garage in 1966, recalls “One gentleman told me that, when he was a lad, Alan Cobham had his Flying Circus up at Sparrow Farm, and they used to come down and get fuel from the garage for the planes.” Alan Milbank has described his lifelong love of vehicles, especially classic cars, in his memoirs Another Set of Wheels – details at www. alanmilbank.com Turning now to Jack Brabham’s garage: by 1913 there were almost 30 semi-detached or detached villas in Cheam Common Hill between Balmoral Road and Windsor Road, nearly all of which had disappeared by the end of the 1930s to make way for shops. Almost directly opposite Percy Beale’s garage, a large site was left vacant in the post-war years, until the Mercia Motor Company’s garage

was opened in the 1950s.

Alan Milbank recalls that the Mercia garage “was sold to Jack Brabham and he updated the site.

Jack Brabham was very regularly at the garage; they became a Mobil dealer for a while and I used to go with him to Mobil dealer meetings.”

Jack Brabham was born in Australia and learnt to drive at the age of 12.

After serving in the Royal Australian Airforce as an engineer, he opened a motor repair shop, and soon began racing. In 1955 he made his debut at the British Grand Prix in a car he had built himself, and in 1966 he became the first person to win the Formula One world championship driving one of his own cars, having previously won the title in 1959 and 1960 in cars by other makers. He retired from driving aged 44, and developed a variety of business interests including garages and car dealerships in Britain and Australia, as well as continuing to be involved in motor sport.

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As yet I have very little other information about the Jack Brabham Garage in Central Road, and the degree of Sir Jack’s involvement with it over the years, and I’d be very pleased to hear from anyone who used to work there or can provide any more details.

Our illustrations this month show Jack Brabham’s garage and the Forge Garage, courtesy of Kay Foale and Alan Milbank respectively.

On Saturday 4th October, why not take your car – or take a stroll – up The Avenue to St Mary’s Church where there will be a Harvest Fayre. It will be open from noon to 3pm, so you can arrive in time for a barbecue, and then visit the stalls and sideshows before enjoying a cream tea. There will be stalls selling homemade cakes, crafts including handstitched cards and knitted toys, books and toys, and a chance to see woodturning and buy wood-turned items. Entry will be by donation.

David Rymill (020) 8330 6563 David.Rymill1993@alumni.aber.ac.uk

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Community

The Worshipful The Mayor of Sutton Arthur Hookway

The Mayor, Mayoress and their family have lived in Worcester Park, Sutton for the last 15 years.

Arthur worked for the London Fire Brigade for 30 years from 1974-2004 finishing the last 3 years of his career as Sutton’s Borough Commander.

He was also very actively involved in his local community, only retiring as the Chair of the Worcester Park Residents Association last November to stand as a candidate as a local councillor for the Liberal Democrat party for Worcester Park Ward. He was successfully elected on the 22nd May this year and on the 9th of June he gained the honour and privilege of being asked to serve the residents of Sutton as the Mayor, which he gladly accepted.

He is supporting two very worthy charities this year, they are: - Sutton Seniors Forum (SSF) which amongst other things, promotes the welfare and

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Pictured (right) with Mayor of Kingston Councillor Ken Smith

interests of senior people living in the Borough of Sutton and works hard to combat the social isolation of this group of residents. The other one is Sutton Mentoring and Independent Leisure Experiences (SMILE), which is a peer mentoring scheme for disabled young people aged 12-18 years living in our Borough. Amongst other things SMILE provides access to a range of age related activities and opportunities during holidays, term-time evenings and weekends for this very deserving group of young people. If any person(s) or organisation(s) would like to make donations to the Mayor’s charities they will be very gratefully received and receipted. Cheques made payable to “The Mayor of Sutton’s Charity Fund” should be sent to the Mayor’s secretariat on the 2nd floor of the Civic Centre. Contact details for the office are referred to at the end of this article.

His theme for his Mayoral year is “Volunteers and Volunteering in the Community”, and he wants to do everything he possibly can during his year to support these very worthy people, who he “considers” the backbone of our community.

Finally, the Mayor is keen to hear from any groups or organisations (large or small, formal or informal) within the Borough that would like himself, and possibly the Mayoress to go along and both meet with and support them. Arranging these visits is very straightforward, and requires the completion of simple forms (which we hope to have available electronically on this site very soon). In the first instance, contact should be made with the Mayor’s secretariat either by phone on 020 8770 5402 or by emailing mayor.sec@sutton.gov.uk

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To advertise email jenny@wplife.co.uk or call 020 8336 2915

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Ruth Jemmett Writes I am the one in eight

Ruth Jemmett’s Personal Journey Through Breast Cancer October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In this country nearly 50,000 women are diagnosed annually with breast cancer - one in eight of us. Over the past few years, I, like many other people, have glanced at reminders of this October event in the media, and have then carried on with my life. In November of last year my attitude changed completely. During the summer of 2013 I had been conscious of the fact that my left breast looked and felt a little different. When I was younger I had suffered from benign cysts in that breast, and so I stuck my head in the sand, and convinced myself that there was nothing to worry about. Then in November 2013 I got a reminder for my regular three-yearly mammogram screening. As I entered the Mobile Mammogram Unit in Epsom, reality hit me. What if it WASN’T ‘just another cyst’? I could tell by the radiographer’s face that all wasn’t well, and my heart sank as she told me that The Jarvis Breast Assessment Centre in Guildford would shortly be in touch with me to investigate things further.

A few days later I arrived at The Jarvis Centre, where I underwent two core biopsies of the breast and fine needle biopsies of the glands under my left arm, plus an ultrasound. The doctor and nurse who did the procedure couldn’t have been kinder, but I knew that a difficult journey lay ahead.

All of a sudden my life seemed like a bad dream. The days dragged until I returned to the centre a week or so later to receive my results. The doctor sensitively broke the news to me that “what we are looking at is an extensive and serious cancer of the left breast”.

Those words will stay with me forever. I had become ’the one in eight’ …. I found out that the cancer had made my breast attach itself to my chest wall, and had also travelled to the base of my spine. The day I received the devastating news (a Friday 13th!) it coincided with a dinner/dance I had helped to organise. I had the choice of going home to feel sorry for myself or attending the dance. I chose the latter.

After all, I figured - “Make hay while the sun shines.

There could be cloudy days ahead …” I was told that I would be referred to the Royal Marsden’s Sir William Rous Unit at Kingston Hospital, where, I was assured, I

would receive excellent treatment for my condition.

I decided not to tell people about the cancer immediately. After all, it seemed a bit mean to depress people so near to the festive season. Also, I needed time to get my head around things. I thought the best thing to do was to get treatment going, and then confide the news to close friends until the picture became clearer. I am very much a ‘glass half full’ person, and I decided that this cancer thing wasn’t going to dominate my life.

I went through Christmas like a robot. In the midst of tinsel I was continually asking myself “will I die soon?”.

As the new year rang in I asked myself if I would see ANY more years. Just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse I caught a horrendous bout of ‘flu from someone at a festive party! Throughout January I literally dragged myself from my sick-bed to attend various investigations at Kingston Hospital such as a CT Scan, an MRI scan, a Bone Scan (which

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made me temporarily radioactive!) and Ultrasound scans - all with dreadful ’flu, which included a roaring temperature and a hacking cough! I also attended appointments with various medics. A kindly surgeon told me that on paper I was ‘the last person who should get cancer, as you don’t drink or smoke, do a lot of exercise, am a healthy weight, and eat all the right things.” He said that perhaps the fact that I had cared for my disabled son for nearly thirty-nine years, and then had the shock of losing him in 2011, could have thrown my metabolism into freefall. I couldn’t help but agree. The weeks dragged on - as did my ‘flu. Life couldn’t get any worse, could it? That was when my husband John had his heart attack ……

As I don’t drive I had to rely on the kindness of neighbours and friends to ferry me from Worcester Park to Hammersmith Hospital where my husband had undergone an emergency stent procedure. Happily he was home within a few days, and it was then that we discovered the wonders of internet supermarket shopping, as neither of us were fit enough could get out of the house!

As my treatment progressed the word ‘cancer’ lost its terror for me. I began to live with it, and had - and have - no intention of dying from it. I learnt that my own particular cancer thrives on oestrogen - of which I had too much - despite being in my sixty-eighth

year! I take a daily hormone inhibitor tablet which starves my cancer of what it needs to survive. I also take two daily calcium tablets to strengthen my bones. I attend the wonderful Chemotherapy Unit at Kingston Hospital on a monthly basis, where I receive an infusion into my arm of a Bisphosphonate called Zometa, which deals with my bone cancer. At the time of the infusion I have a blood test that tests my tumour markers, my white blood cell count, and my body salts.

I also have a nose swab to make sure that I don’t have M.R.S.A. The Chemo Ward is bright and cheerful, with wonderful supportive staff. You see more laughter than tears there, I can assure you! My procedure takes no re more than twenty-five minutes, and is virtually painless. The chairs that we patients sit in are big, squidgy and comfortable, and I wouldn’t mind having one at home! I have an incredibly supportive network of friends who take turns to ferry me to the hospital, and at this moment, I couldn’t love them more! Every three months I see a lovely lady Oncologist, who is incredibly positive and encouraging. Apparently the medication I am on is slowly but surely shrinking what cancers I have, and so far no more new ones have appeared.

Eleven months ago I was cursing myself for not having taken my body’s warning signs seriously, and was sure that I would be looking at a mastectomy or

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certain death. Today I am happy to report that thanks to the magnificent treatment I have received from The Royal Marsden’s Unit at Kingston Hospital, I lead a full life (and have gained half a stone - time for new clothes I think!), and my ‘naughty’ boob is looking better by the day. In the coming new year a course of radiotherapy is planned, but I am positive about undergoing it, as it’s all in a good cause.

If any woman reading this is concerned that she has breast cancer, I would say: Don’t be afraid. Make an appointment to get it sorted out immediately.

Remember that the bulk of breast problems AREN’T breast cancer. If your worst fears are confirmed, I would say that, going by my own experience, no part of the tests or treatment are anything to be frightened of. My cancer was found at Stage 2, but even people at Stage 3 can go into remission, so don’t let fear spoil what could be a long and healthy life. I am a realist, and know that cancer is unpredictable, but I am a great believer in positive thought. I talk to the cancer on a daily basis and tell it to get lost! So far so good! I have every intention of sharing my view of local and national life with you for a long time to come.

Ruth Jemmett is a Member of The Society of Authors

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Fundraising

It’s always worth trying.

How the Kumon Maths and English Programmes can help with the 11+ At your local Stoneleigh Study Centre, Kumon offers individualised maths and English study programmes which are tailored to all ages and abilities. Rather than preparing children for a particular test or assessment, Kumon empowers students to learn for themselves, through individualised instruction and carefully developed worksheets.

The Kumon Maths and English Programmes are designed to achieve the maximum effect in the shortest time possible, with each learning topic following on from the one before. Furthermore, the Kumon Method of Learning aims to foster self-learning skills; the ability to learn for oneself topics that have not yet been covered at school.

For students to have the opportunity to study material they have not been taught before, Kumon aims for them to progress to a level higher than that of their school grade within their first year of study with Kumon. Therefore, if a child enrols with us a minimum of one year prior to the 11+ examinations, we aim for them to progress to a level of work higher than their respective school grade by the time they sit their exams.

The Kumon programmes are not specifically designed to

match the style of questions or every exact topic covered in the 11+ maths or English tests. However, Kumon sets the bar very high in what is expected of students to achieve through the individualised instruction, in a relatively short period of time, and this produces outstanding results.

In the Kumon Maths Programme, after rigorous training in the four arithmetic operations – addition, subtraction, multiplication and division – including the traditional long methods and operations with fractions and decimals, students will typically be introduced to algebra and the study of linear equations prior to the 11+ exams.

In the Kumon English Programme, students will have covered all the grammatical elements needed for the 11+ exams, including punctuation, sentence structure, paragraph structure, identifying key ideas of paragraphs and summarising texts, through the practice of exercises that support students in building strong reading comprehension skills and broadening their vocabulary.

For more information, contact Jessica Grante on 020 8330 6195 or email Stoneleigh@kumoncentre.co.uk. The Kumon Stoenleigh Study Centre is located at 4th Ewell Scout HQ, 1 Bluegates, off London Road, KT17 2SA with classes running on Tuesdays & Fridays between 3:30 and 5:30pm. Additionally, the Centre is holding a special FREE ASSESSMENT on Saturday 18th October between 12pm and 3pm. Local families are encouraged to pre-book a place.

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19

View from the City The End Of Ages? - Both Iron And Complacency

by Justin Urquhart Stewart

If I remember correctly, depending upon your own civilisation, the Iron Age was the next developmental period after the Bronze Age when tanned men in skirts and sandals wielded metal weapons at one another. In western measurements this started around 1200BC and depending on your views came to an end anywhere from 200BC to 400AD, if you are Korean. Last week though, in amongst the Referendum blarney that filled the news hours, Goldman Sachs declared somewhat later than most that we have just reached the end of the Iron Age. Are they just somewhat tardy in their thinking or just a little late in putting out this paper (by 2000 years)?

Well no, neither really as the investment house was actually referring to the commodity boom of the past few years that propelled commodity prices, associated commodities companies and indeed economies over the past decade.

Since 2011, we have see declines in many metals including copper but especially iron ore, which is now hitting a five year low, dropping by 40% just this year.

This has effected some of the leading miners like BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto and other leading names, many of whom are some of the larger ones in the FTSE100 Index. They therefore have a disproportionate impact because of their size. This comes at an especially unfortunate time as the Index has been striving to try and beat its all time high back in the last days of 1999.

This is even more galling as we have been seeing the indices of our US cousins regularly hitting all time highs.

This fall has a ripple effect around the globe, not just on companies, but on the producing nations especially Brazil and Australia, and even the shipping industry and it is an indication certainly of the slow down that we have seen in the Chinese economy which buys about two thirds of the worlds iron ore production.

There is now a concern over a glut that may be forming, further depressing the price and adding to some of the disinflationary concerns in keys areas of the globe. However, if this means a return to the steadier prices of a lower, slower world, then maybe whilst providing weaker returns, it is better for the slowly recovering global economy.

Are we going to see the end of the age of complacency at last?

20

The geopolitical issues confidence or complacency?

At any one time there are always geopolitical threats around the globe from revolutions to natural disasters, from famines to flooding, from belligerence to bluster, but just at the moment the headlines seem to be reflecting a higher level of tension than just the world’s political tension.

However, despite this we have been seeing an almost blissful disregard of such weighty subjects by the investing markets. In fact in the United Kingdom, the important but hardly life threatening concerns over Scottish independence have had a far greater impact than the prospect of global catastrophes. So are we being just supremely confident, or foolishly complacent?

The fact is that at present, all of those extremely important and potential dangerous geo-political issues have as yet not had a huge financial impact, but that is not to say that they won’t.

For the Middle East, most of the major oil and gas supplies are in the hands of the currently “friendly” partners, and thus the oil price has barely reacted and has even fallen, although most recently that will have been due to the strength of the dollar.

In the Ukraine, the effect of any gas taps being turned off has yet to have been factored in, but that may well change once the colder and darker nights of the winter draw in. Even the effect of the trade embargoes to Russia have so far only had a limited effect, but again the longer that goes on the greater the potential effect. The main economic casualty has rather been the Russian markets and the Rouble.

As for the Chinese disputes with Japan in the East China Sea and the South East Asian nations around the South China Sea, again this is a festering issue but one that has not reached a crisis point -well at least not yet!

So therefore with low interest rates, lower fuel costs, and a global economy growing at around 3% , its long term average, markets still regard the Holy Grail as being half full, rather than half empty. However we should be very wary of some of those hairline cracks that seem to have formed down my precious cup.

The answer therefore is for us as investors to remain broadly invested and diversified but to watch carefully, to see if some of these risks start to rise and the confidence starts to falter.

Justin Urquhart Stewart is one of the most recognisable and trusted market commentators on television, radio and in the press. Originally trained as a lawyer he has observed the retail market industry for 20 years whilst at Barclays Stockbrokers and developed a unique understanding of the market’s roles and benefits for the private investor

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Wendover House, West Ewell Chessington Road, West Ewell, KT19 9XF

 Enjoy independent living with no worries about home maintenance costs and responsibilities  Inclusive fees from £250.00 per week  Home cooked meals  Meet new friends Why not visit us and take a look?

Call Caroline Hayhurst - 020 8393 0881 or email abbeyfieldewellsoc@btinternet.com www.abbeyfield.com/ewell The Abbeyfield Ewell Society Ltd. Charity No.204444

To advertise email jenny@wplife.co.uk or call 020 8336 2915

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1. What type of insects would you keep in a formicarium?

2. The Colorado Beetle is particularly known for attacking which crop?

3. Which insect has a two word name with the first word being named according to the stance it typically adopts, and the second word being the Greek work for “fortune teller”?

4. The name of which insect comes from an old wives’ tale that it would burrow into the brains of humans and lay eggs?

5. Insects have bodies that are split into three parts. The head and the abdomen are two of these, but what name is given to the third part that lies in between these?

6. How many eyes do most spiders have?

7. By what three word name is the crane fly commonly known in the UK? 8. With a name derived from a Greek term meaning “stomach footed”, what is the name given to the class of animals to which snails and slugs belong?

9. What name is given to the fear of spiders?

10. Which traditonal Spanish song has a title that literally translates as “The Cockroach”?

Malden’s

&

We deliver to 24,000 homes in KT3 and KT4

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Please remember to mention Worcester Park Life when you speak to our advertisers

1.Ants 2. Potatoes 3. The praying mantis 4. The thorax 6. Eight 7.Daddy long legs 8. Gastropods 9. Arachnophobia 10. La Cucaracha

Creepy Crawlies



SEPTEMBER 2014 UPDATE Lightning, ovens and other letting hazards.

The end of this month marks a year since Lorraine, our Lettings Manager, returned to us which is cause for celebration. And it’s been a very good year punctuated by a variety of challenges, many of which are all in the course of a good day’s work and some that have been dealt us by the appalling weather we saw in the early part of the year.

No sooner had Lorraine arrived than the first storm of the year breezed in and deftly located all the weak spots in fences around the area. By the time the winter was over our managed tenants were well used to our weather warning emails and requests for confirmation that they had escaped the latest onslaught unscathed. While most of the damage related to fences and a few dislodged tiles we also dealt with the aftermath of a branch crashing through a roof and a lightning strike that punched a hole through the side of a property and wreaked havoc with anything electrical.

The endless rain caused its own problems and we have therefore dealt with several leaking windows and numerous instances of damp caused by the unusually high water table this year. For the most part these have been monitored and eventually dried out allowing for redecoration, but in a few instances more complicated remedial work has been required. Our thanks go to all our contractors who have helped us along the way, often at very short notice. We breathed a sigh relief when the elements abated and we returned to more ordinary issues.

By far the most common cause of a call from a tenant is that useful kitchen essential, the oven. A good number of those calls can easily be remedied by reference to the manual and it has led us to ponder why oven manufacturers need to make the operation of their appliances so varied and seemingly complicated. We are consequently well practiced in tracking down copies of manuals, old and new, on the internet. However it has to be said it’s surprising how many newly installed ovens do not work as they should, and how many times we have to call the manufacturers in under warranty, which never seems to be a quick process. There lies a lesson for us all. If you install a new oven make sure you keep the receipt and register it with the manufacturer. You may be very glad you did. By comparison we have yet to have the same problem with any other appliance though we do encounter the occasional temperamental washing machine or boiler and have fingers firmly crossed we aren’t tempting fate!

Overall the lettings market has been buoyant with many now unable to afford to buy the size of property they need. Demand for specific property types is generally steady with some periods of exceptional demand. We are also noticing the beginning of a growing trend. Some tenants are renting properties larger than they can afford to buy, or in a more expensive but convenient location, while letting out their previous property or even buying a property smaller than they need and letting that out. Whatever your current needs and whether you are a buyer, seller, landlord or tenant our sales and lettings teams are always happy to give the advice you need to help you make the right decision. 

To advertise email jenny@wplife.co.uk or call 020 8336 2915





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One Planet Sutton Free and fun talks for community groups

Are you interested in learning how to adopt a more environmentally friendly lifestyle that will benefit you, your community and the local environment, but perhaps you don’t have the time to attend a meeting or travel outside of your locality? Well, now you no longer have to because we at EcoLocal will bring our exiting new talk ‘One Planet Sutton’ directly to your community group, wherever you are, in the borough of Sutton.

One of our specially trained ambassadors will be sent to a location of your choice and provide a free, exciting and interactive workshop on ways to help the local environment as well as energy reducing tips to help you reduce your bills. The talk lasts about an hour or less and includes interactive activities. Our ambassador will happily come along and give practical advice so

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you too can take part in making our local area a healthier environment and a happy one too. You learn about the One Planet Sutton agenda which includes the following themes: - Cutting Carbon Emissions - Cutting Waste - Valuing our Natural Environment - Supporting Healthy Communities - Supporting the Local Economy These talks are free so it costs absolutely nothing to learn how to make a real difference that will be better for our health, homes and the environment. We provide the ambassador and the necessary equipment, so all you need to do is to supply the venue, tables, chairs and a screen or white wall to project on to.

The One Planet Sutton ambassador scheme is organised by us at EcoLocal - a local charity and social enterprise group, and is funded by Sutton Council so we can work together to create and sustain a healthier environment for all.

To book a free talk for your group please email heather@ecolocal.org.uk or call us on 020 8770 6611

Please remember to mention Worcester Park Life when you speak to our advertisers

Re giste r e d wit h t he

Home Care Services Ltd

A Comprehensive Range of Care Services •

Live-in Car e - Throughout Su rrey - 24 hour care an d/or compan ionsh ip

• Per son al Car e - t oilet ing, bat hing, dressing • “Pop - In” Service • Night Sl eeper an d Wak ing Night St aff - providing reassuran ce/night care • Household Dut ies - shopping, hou sework • M eal Preparat ion • End of Life Car e For a free professional assessment of your personal needs, please call us on 020 8393 7117

51 The Broadw ay - St onelei gh - Epsom - Surrey - KT17 2JE Office 9.00am - 5.00pm Tel: 020 8393 7117 - Fax: 020 8393 5535 Email: classichomecare@bt connect .com Websit e: www.classichomecareservices.co.uk To advertise email jenny@wplife.co.uk or call 020 8336 2915

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Sudokus fairly easy

House Clearance Specialists

mail@bitsandbobsclearance.co.uk Furniture, antiques, collectibles & ornaments bought & sold

not so easy

BROWSERS WELCOMED BUYERS CUDDLED!!

WE BUY UNWANTED and JEWELLERY AND SCRAP Better prices paid than companies currently advertising on TV!!

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www.bitsandbobsclearance.co.uk

D E P L D A You have two minutes to find all the words of three or more letters that can be made from the letters above. Plurals are allowed, proper nouns are not. The 6 letter word will always be just a normal everyday word.

3 letters: 15

4 letters: 11

5 letters: 4

Please remember to mention Worcester Park Life when you speak to our advertisers

6 letters: 1

3 Letters add ale alp ape dad dal dap eld

Time to change your mattress?

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By Sandra Haynes

I

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Beckenham

421 Croydon Road Beckenham, Kent BR3 3PP 020 8658 2242

Horley

30 Balcombe Road Horley, West Sussex RH6 9AA 01293 825901

Leatherhead

22 – 30 North Street Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 7AT 01372 388223

Morden

1 – 3 London Road Morden, Surrey SM4 5HX 020 3044 0008

*Details in-store. All store opening times: 9am - 6pm Mon - Sat, 11am - 5pm Sun

New Malden (B&Q) Unit 2, 175 Burlington Road New Malden, Surrey KT3 4LU 020 3441 1105

Wallington

59 Stafford Road Wallington, Surrey SM6 9AP 020 8669 0273

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To advertise email jenny@wplife.co.uk or call 020 8336 2915

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020 8330 7557 - Sales 020 8330 7887 - Lettings www.brownsresidential.co.uk

Worcester Park £600,000 • Immaculate Family Semi

• Three Double Bedrooms

• Modern Family Bathroom

• Large Through Reception

• Luxury Kitchen

• Cloakroom

• Rear, Front & Side Gardens

• Garage & O.S.P

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Worcester Park | Stoneleigh | Ewell | New Malden | Cheam

Please remember to mention Worcester Park Life when you speak to our advertisers

2014

25 years selling and letting in your local area

£695,000 Worcester Park

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• Detached Family Home • Four Bedrooms • Three Receptions • EPC Rating Awaited

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Browns Residential

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Tea Time Codeword

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Be seen and heard by the your local market in the Village Voice and Worcester Park Life.

With competitive pricing, friendly efficient service and helpful advice it’s simple and effective - but then the best ideas always are.

Call jenny on 020 8336 2915

Please remember to mention Worcester Park Life when you speak to our advertisers

2 20

EVEN LOUDER

or go online www.maldenmedia.com

7 24

When times are tough you have to shout about your business

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Each letter in this puzzle is represented by a different number between 1 and 26. 21 The codes for three letters are shown.

Once you have filled these throughout 24 25 the grid you can start guessing words L and reveal other letters. As you find the 10 letters enter them in the box below.

1

10

11

What’s On Give blood

Book an appointment by calling 0300 123 23 23 St Philip, Ruskin Drive, Worcester Park KT4 8LG 30th Oct, 2 to 4.30pm 5.30 to 8pm Sutton, The Thomas Wall Centre, Benhill Avenue, Sutton, Surrey., SM1 4DP 23rd Oct 2 to 4.30pm 5.30 to 8pm St James’s Church Hall, Bodley Road, New Malden KT3 5QE 1st Oct 2 to 4.30pm 5.30 to 8pm A.F.C Wimbledon Football Club, Jack Goodchild Way, 422A Kingston Road KT1 3PB 9th Oct,, 2014 2 to 4.30pm 5.30 to 8pm

Free ‘Fit as a Fiddle’

Are you over 50, live in the borough of Kingston, and want to get fit, lose weight and improve your wellbeing?

Why not join a free 6 week course in September 2014?

Take your pick from gentle exercise to more vigorous activity with either: • Nordic walking Canbury Gardens, Kingston, Mon 10th Sept - 13th Oct, 10.00am -12.00pm • Aquacise: Kingfisher Leisure Centre, Kingston, Wed 10th Sept 15th Oct 1.30 - 3.15 pm • Body Balance: Hook Centre, Chessington, Thurs 11th Sept -16th Oct 12.30 - 2.00pm All courses include healthy lifestyle/weight loss workshops.

To book a place contact Grace, Fit as a Fiddle Coordinator: 020 8942 8256 or email:grace.shorthouse@staywellservices.org.uk

Frozen Treat

The worldwide phenomenon, Disney’s Frozen, comes to the Secombe Theatre on Saturday 4 October with a very special sing-a-long version of this fantastic film. Such is the popularity of the movie the venue has had to add in an extra screening to avoid fans being disappointed. So put on your finery, weave snowflakes in your hair and prepare to sing along to Let It Go as Olaf, Sven and the gang return to the big screen. Join in with fun activities during the film, goodie bag provided.

11am and 3pm £10 Box Office: 020 8770 6990 www.suttontheatres.co.uk

Bourne Hall Museum

Saturday 4 October 11.00 Royal Flying Corps Mock Air Display. Meet the magnificent men in their flying machine.

11.30 Gas, Boys, Gas. Discover about the terror weapon of the First World War. Learn how and why it was used and how the troops defended themselves from its deadly effects.

12.00 Battlefield Bandaging. Hear how the wounded were treated in the field and patched up before evacuation from the front line.

12.30 Weapons and Webbing. Learn what a British Tommy had to carry up the line and into battle, from his Bible and bullets to his rifle and rations.

13.00 Royal Flying Corps. Repeat.

13.30 Bully Beef and a Brew. Discover the truth behind the saying that an army marches on its stomach and learn about how the army was kept supplied and what the soldiers got to eat.

14.00 Spinning Jennys. Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag and sit back to enjoy the greatest hits of the First World War sung by the Spinning Jennys.

14.30 Chattering of the Guns. Discover the story of the Vickers and Lewis machine guns during World War 1 and see some of the weapons most feared by infantrymen on both sides.

15.00 Royal Flying Corps. Repeat.

15.30 Bully Beef and a Brew. Repeat.

16.00 Live Firing Demonstration. Hear the sound of rifle fire with a blank firing exercise, to be held outside - weather permitting.

16.30 Royal Flying Corps. Repeat.

17.00 Gas, Boys, Gas. Repeat.

17.30 Spinning Jennys. Repeat.

Sunday 5 October 10.30 Bully Beef and a Brew. Discover the truth behind the saying that an army marches on its stomach and learn about how the army was kept supplied and what the soldiers got to eat.

11.00 Royal Flying Corps Mock Air Display. Meet the magnificent men in their flying machine.

11.30 Weapons and Webbing. Learn what a British Tommy had to carry up the line and into battle, from his Bible and bullets to his rifle and rations.

12.00 Bandages and Bed-Baths. See a 1916 ambulance and learn about the work of the First Aid Yeomanry known as FANY. 12.30 Gas, Boys, Gas - Discover about the terror weapon of the First World War. Learn how and why it was used and how the troops defended themselves from its deadly effects.

13.00 Royal Flying Corps. Repeat 13.30 Chattering of the Guns. Discover the story of the Vickers and Lewis machine guns during World War 1 and see some of the weapons most feared by infantrymen on both sides.

14.00 Live Firing Demonstration. Hear the sound of rifle fire with a blank firing exercise, to be held outside - weather permitting.

14.30 Bandages and Bed-Baths. Repeat.

15.00 Weapons and Webbing. Repeat.

Free Children’s Activities During the whole weekend there will be poppy-making (paper and fabric) and infantry drill. Colouring and activity sheets will be available for children to enjoy.

ENJOY SUTTON in conjunction with SUTTON THEATRES presents…

Spooky Sutton, creative workshops for all free half term activities for children of all ages at the Secombe Theatre To book your place contact the box office 020 8770 6990 E:Boxoffice@sutton.gov.uk Online: www.suttontheatres.co.uk Secombe Theatre 42 Cheam Road Sutton SM1 2SS Monday 27 October SING A SONG IN SUTTON: for children aged 3-5 years old.

Come and sing your favourite nursery rhymes and popular songs for 45 minutes Sessions at 10am and 11am SUTTON SOUNDS SPOOKY: a workshop for children aged 6-10 years.

To advertise email jenny@wplife.co.uk or call 020 8336 2915

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Working with percussion instruments, recorders and voices to create and perform a story about walking through a spooky wood with ghouls and goblins and things that go bump in the night. Each workshop lasts one hour.

1pm and 2.30pm Tuesday 28 October BABY DISCO AND TODDLERS BALL – disco sessions for kids of different ages.

10am – Baby Disco 6 months – 3 years. 11am – Toddlers Ball for 2 – 5 years.

“The Perfect way to start to boogie as a family. Music, disco lights, props and much more”.

Provided by Little Bopperz HIP HOP FOR BEGINNERS for 6-10 year olds.

Workshops Introducing moves and steps to Hip Hop, each lasting one hour.

Two sessions 1.30pm and 3pm Wednesday 29 October SPOOKY TALES A story writing workshop for children aged 8-11. 10am11.30am CREATE A HERO: men and women from Sutton risked their lives fighting in the Great War. Hear their stories and then draw, stick and colour a hero to take home. For children aged 6-9 years old. 1pm – 3pm Part of the Big Draw campaign for drawing.

Thursday 30 October ACTING WORKSHOP for children aged 8-11: 10am-12 noon.

Based on Roald Dahl’s The Witches that involves script and role-play work.

ACTING WORKSHOP for children aged 12-15: 1pm-3pm Based in and around a haunted house.

Friday 31 October PUMPKIN TIME 1pm for children aged 5-8 years.

Create your own, spooky Halloween crafts – will you make a pumpkin, a spider, a witch or a wizard... follow your imagination!

HALLOWEEN STORY TIME 3pm Spooky stories for kids 5-8 years from the stage of the Secombe Theatre. Brave children (accompanied by parents or grandparents) will join our storytime, when imagination and special effects will take you to a world of ghoulies and ghosties and things that go bump in the night. Join Grant Koper, actor and ghost whisperer, for a thrilling storytime... if you dare....

EVENTS AT WALLINGTON HALL Stafford Road Wallington SM6 9AQ Wednesday 29 October SCOLA IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MAD ACADEMY 10am-11am Music and Dance Family Fun for Mums, Dads, Grandparents and their pre-school children (confident walkers please).

Friday 31 October HALLOWEEN STORY TIME 11am Spooky stories for kids 5-8 years from the stage of the Secombe Theatre. Brave children (accompanied by parents or grandparents) will join our storytime, when imagination and special effects will take you to a world of ghoulies and ghosties and things that go bump in the night. Join Grant Koper, actor and ghost whisperer, for a thrilling storytime... if you dare....

St Raphaels Fundraising

October 4th Saturday Moonlight Memories Walk St Raphael’s Hospice, Fun Activities Start at 6pm Walk starts at 8.30pm

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A fun walk for the whole family of 5 miles through the local area. Walk starts and finishes at St Raphael’s Hospice. Fun activities on the day will include a bouncy castle, face painting, T-shirt design station, bar, hot and cold food, and music.

Registration is £15.00 for adults and £10.00 for children aged 5-16 years, Under 5’s go FREE. For more information please contact Louisa Hitchen, 020 8254 2467 Louisa.hitchen@straphaelshospice.org.uk 8th WednesdaySupporter Group Information Sessions St Bede’s Conference Centre, in the grounds of the hospice 2:30pm - 4:00pm Ever wondered what our Supporter Groups do or whether you might like to join one? Come along and find out more! For more information please contact Kerry Thomas 9th Thursday Supporter Group Information Sessions St Bede’s Conference Centre, in the grounds of the hospice 7:30pm Ever wondered what our Supporter Groups do or whether you might like to join one? Come along and find out more! For more information please contact Kerry Thomas 020 8254 2465 Kerry.thomas@straphaelshospice.org.uk 11th Saturday Race Night – with a difference!

St Bede’s Conference Centre, in the grounds of the hospice.

7pm to start at 7.30pm. Come along for a fantastic horseracing evening! Tickets are £10 each and include a fish and chip supper. Cash bar available and fabulous prizes to be won.

Contact Ann Rutherford on arutherford789@gmail.com for tickets 18th Saturday Wallington Supporter Group Barn Dance St Mark’s Church, Purley, CR8 3QQ More details to follow soon.

18th Saturday Call my Wine Bluff. St Bede’s Conference Centre in the grounds of St Raphael’s Hospice 7:30pm Fun, interactive wine-tasting evening with Ploughman’s Supper. Tickets £15 available from Lynne Palmer 07805 436726 palmer.lynne@gmail.com

Local Markets

Cheam Village Friday Market Small indoor market with 28 stalls held in Cheam Parochial Rooms, The Broadway, Cheam Village, Surrey.

Helping the Royal Marsden Hospital.

Market Days: Friday North Cheam Farmers’ Market – 3rd Saturday of every month, 9.30am-1.30pm, North Cheam Crossroads outside the Post Office, KT4 8SG. Christmas Market: Saturday 21st December Sutton Local Produce and Craft Market, Sat 30th November, 10am-4pm, Town Square, Sutton High Street New Malden Farmer’s Market 1st Saturday of the month The car park beside the Foutain Pub 9am to 2pm Surbiton Farmers Market Maple Road 3rd Saturday of the month 9am-1pm

Nonsuch News

“National media focus on the Tudors/local interest in Tudor history on our doorstep in Nonsuch Park.

BBC2 has a season on Tudor history; the V & A has an exhibition of Tudor Art and Buckingham Palace is showing portraits exploring Tudor fashion. The local resident, however, does not need to travel to London to appreciate some of Tudor history. An amazing model of the original Nonsuch Palace, built by Henry VIII to celebrate the birth of his son Edward – so important to the Tudor dynasty – is on view every every

Please remember to mention Worcester Park Life when you speak to our advertisers

Sunday in the winter 11 – 2 p.m in the Gallery of the Mansion, Service Wing entrance, Nonsuch Park. The site is marked on the Northern side of the Park by three tall pillars which now stand as the only physical evidence of this amazing building. They are as three sentries guarding a bygone age.

In addition, a unique and important collection of stained glass amassed by Samuel Farmer, owner of the present Mansion in the early 1800’s, features one particular panel commemorating the marriage of Jane Seymour to Henry VIII – only 11 days after the execution of Anne Boleyn! These are just a few of the treasures on view in the Nonsuch Mansion Service Wing Museum open on 2nd & 4th Sundays in the month (9th and 23rd) 2 – 5 p.m. Combined entry to Gallery & Museum £3.00, Concessions £2.00. Friends of Nonsuch Members & Children under 16 free. Entry only to Gallery £2.50. Last entry 4.30 p.m. www.friendsofnonsuch.co.uk”

Epsom Playhouse,

Ashley Avenue, Epsom, Surrey, KT18 5AL (01372) 742555 / 742227

Motown classics and brand new material from his second album. Marcus has achieved top 10 success with his first 1 October An evening with John Humphrys Broadcasting’s toughest interrogator talks about his 50 years in journalism and broadcasting and invites you to turn the tables on him. Proceeds to his Kitchen Table Charities Trust which finances projects supporting people in the poorest areas of the world.

2 October Hal Cruttenden Hal Cruttenden The Tough Luvvie Tour Following stand out performances on Live At The Apollo (BBC1), Have I Got News For

You (BBC1), The Royal Variety Performance (ITV1) and Mock The Week (BBC2), Hal is being strongly tipped as the next big thing.

Footballers, Facebook and food are just three of the topics Hal devours with his unique mix of camp and straight, warm and catty humour.

Surfin’ USA, Starring BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing lead singer, Chris Madin, and backed by an incredible live band, are proud to pay tribute to one of the greatest bands of all time, The Beach Boys.

The Beach Boys had over 80 chart songs worldwide , 36 of them in the United States and selling in excess of 100 million records worldwide.

4 October Dracula the Panto!

Isosceles in association with Useful Idiots presents an hilarious spoof of the Dracula story performed Panto style.

A bewildering series of costume changes with just 2 performers brings you a dame, a naughty count and great songs too.

An evening of first class entertainment for everyone aged 8-88, you don’t have to bring your child if you want to watch the show!

4 October The Ronnie Scott’s Story Direct from London’s world famous jazz club, Ronnie Scott’s, musical director James Pearson, accompanied by The Ronnie Scott’s All Stars’, take to the stage at The Epsom Playhouse Mixing classic music from the jazz greats who have performed at Ronnie Scott’s - such as Count Basie, Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan and Miles Davis - with tales of old Soho, miscreant musicians, police raids, and the mystery bottle of Mumm Champagne behind the bar - this is unique evening celebrating one of the World’s most famous jazz venues, it’s music, and history.•

To advertise email jenny@wplife.co.uk or call 020 8336 2915

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6 October Stones In His Pocket In multi-award winning Stones In His Pockets see what happens when a major Hollywood film studio descends upon a small village in County Kerry, through the eyes of two aspiring Irish movie extras Jackie and Charley.

8 October Dirty Dusting Starring Crissy Rock from Benidorm & I’m a Celebrity! After a sellout UK tour in 2013, Dirty Dusting returns to the stage in 2014. Treat yourself to an evening of pure theatrical Viagra!!

Three cleaning ladies, (past their sell by date) start up a telephone sex line!!! “The Telephone Belles” – A Dirty Sex Chat Line that really cleans up!

9 October Paul Daniels and Debbie McGee Paul Daniels and Debbie McGee Back...... Despite Popular Demand! Paul and Debbie are taking to the road again in Autumn of 2014, with another brand new show where they will performs a selection of their favourite magic and a number of new tricks never performed in public before. An evening full of comedy and Magic. ‘The Godfather of Magic’ Dynamo 10 October The Noise Next Door - The U.K’s premier improv comedy troupe are finally taking their mind-blowing brand of off-the-cuff humour on a national tour. Six time sell-out veterans of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and one of the country’s most sought after comedy club headliners, The Noise Next Door leave audiences everywhere in awe of their lightning quick wit and totally original comedic talents. With a perfect blend of ludicrous characters, witty one-liners and musical extravagance, this exhilarating new show simply cannot be missed!

11 October Beyond The Barricade - 2014 Back by overwhelming public demand and celebrating it’s 15th

3 Windsor Road, Worcester Park, KT4 8ES

fantastic year with a sensational new show for 2014, the UK’s longest running musical theatre concert, ‘Beyond the Barricade’ re-creates original West End/Broadway musical hit songs with amazing authenticity and features a cast of past principal performers from the West End production of Les Miserables, and the 25th Anniversary Concert at the 02 Arena.

12 October LDN Wrestling brand new 2014 show The stars stars of LDN Wrestling are coming for an afternoon of action packed drama!

13 October Dara O Briain - Work in Progress 2014 Dara is one of the most recognisable faces on British TV, as host of the hugely successful Mock The Week, The Apprentice You’re Fired, Star Gazing Live. Not forgetting his most recent shows Dara O’Briain: School of Hard Sums and Dara O’Briain’s Science Club for BBC2. Catch one of the most charismatic, intelligent, fast-talking and downright funny live performers working today. Please note this show will be a work in progress for an upcoming UK and Irish Tour in 2014/15.

14 October Joe Brown Joe, with his five piece band including his son and record producer Pete Brown, will be on stage all evening and the musical styles incorporated into his new show break more boundaries and are as unique as the man himself.

15 October My Dalek has a Puncture ‘FREE signed photo with every ticket purchased’ A light hearted evening with SIMON FISHER-BECKER better known to Sci-Fi fans as Dorium Maldovar from the BBC’s hugely successful drama series - Doctor Who. Semi-Autobiographical, Simon gives an insight into how he became an actor, what is needed today if YOU want to be an actor and a general idea of how to prioritize options, opportunities and challenges in life, highlighting pitfalls and silver linings.

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16 October Paul Zerdin IT’S NOT JUST THE PUPPETS HE’S CONTROLLING! With more than 3 million hits on YouTube, PAUL ZERDIN, the internationally acclaimed ventriloquist returns to the live arena in 2012 with PUPPET MASTER, an exhilarating new show, jam-packed with surprises, twists and turns. Audiences will soon realise that it’s not just the puppets he’s controlling and will begin to wonder just who’s pulling their strings!

17 October Blake BLAKE are back and better than ever, with a new sound, new songs & their biggest UK tour yet. Re-inspired by the classic trio harmonies of The Three Tenors, The Bee Gees and Boyz-II-Men, our 3 BritAward-winners will be performing exclusive songs from their fifth studio album, released UK-wide this Autumn.

18 October I’m A Stranger Here Myself Marta, a young country girl arrives, wide-eyed great metropolis of Berlin. She is swept up in melting pot of creativity, decadence and first love. More than just a cabaret concert, I’m A Stranger Here Myself is a story that highlights two extraordinary decades in German history - The Twenties and Thirties - and the effect on its people and culture. The golden age of German Cabaret, featuring music by Kurt Weill, Bertold Brecht and Marlene Dietrich’s composer, Friedrich Hollander.

18 October Epsom Symphony Orchestra AUTUMN CLASSICS Vaughan Williams inspiring and evocative London Symphony starts the Epsom Symphony Orchestra’s season in a programme that includes Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance March no. 4 and Walton’s cheeky Facade Suite.

19 October The Snow Queen Filled with the strange beauty of ice-cold winter and the warmth of true love, this Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale translates perfectly into one of Image Musical

Theatre’s much loved participation musicals.

20 October That’ll Be The Day Get ready to party as the nations favourite rock ‘n’ roll variety show That’ll Be The Day, returns with its Brand New Show!• 21 October The Patsy Cline Anniversary Tour An evening of song, laughter and legendary stories are promised when you come to this entralling tribute to the music, life and times of Patsy Cline.

23 October Lindisfarne Story BILLY MITCHELL AND RAY LAIDLAW THE LINDISFARNE STORY Lindisfarne was Tyneside’s best-loved band for over thirty years and The Lindisfarne Story is a celebration of the group’s music and achievements. • 24 October Sleeping Beauty In a faraway land beyond imagination, Tchaikovsky’s sumptuous music fills the air and wondrous characters come to life before your very eyes.

25 October Close Up at The Playhouse Close-up magic is one of the most impressive forms of the art and this unique format showcases some of the best and most skilful exponents. Audiences get to experience the magic in an informal setting, often taking part themselves, witnessing the impossible from only inches away.

25 October Rollermania With Les leading the way, the band’s singles and albums shot to the number spot all over the globe. Massive hits such as ‘Bye Bye Baby’, ‘Shang A Lang’, ‘Summer Love Sensation’ and ‘Give A Little Love’ (to name just a few) propelled the band to world-wide superstardom and their trademark Scottish tartan was to be seen everywhere across the planet.

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Gardening Conifers

by Pippa Greenwood Conifers are a great way to add colour, texture and living sculpture to your garden 365 days of the year. With several hundred different cultivars of conifer to choose from in the UK, there really is one to suit every situation.

Dwarf Conifers There are many conifers which reach a maximum height of 1m (3ft). These are obviously particularly useful for small gardens and will often add a great extra dimension to a rock garden or a small-scale border. They may need an occasional trimming, but generally hold their shape well.

Recommended: Picea abies ‘Little Gem’, Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Gnome’ , Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Minima Aurea’, Cryptomeria japonica ‘Vilmoriniana’, Picea abies ‘Nidiformis’ Tall and Narrow Very stylish, many of the columnar or tall, slim conifers look especially stunning when used to create a screen, or to add height to a mixed border or a shrub border.

Being rather like a living sculpture they are also good grown as a single specimen tree in a lawn.

Recommended: Taxus baccata ‘Fastigiata Aurea’, Juniperus scopulorum ‘Skyrocket’, Thuja plicata ‘Fastigiata’.

Pyramid-shaped Conifers With their relatively wide bases and narrow tops, pyramidal conifers can bring welcome shape, texture and evergreen colour to your garden and if carefully position are often useful to hide an eyesore.

Recommended: Picea albertiana ‘Conica’, Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Yvonne’ or Thymus occidentalis ‘Yellow Ribbon’ Spherical Conifers With their prominently rounded shape these conifers naturally produce a sculptured look and are perfect for growing either side of a gateway or house entrance.

They also look great in a mixed border, adding colour, texture and interest when many of the other border ingredients are below ground.

Recommended: Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Sunset’, Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Minima Glauca’, Thuja occidentalis ‘Danice’ Ground-Cover Conifers Great for hiding low-lying eyesores such as manhole covers, an evergreen groundcover hides them all year

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long. Low growing conifers also work well for covering steep slopes and edging paths and beds. They will help to keep weeds at bay and are very low maintenance.

Recommended: Juniperus squamata ‘Blue Coat’, Juniperus conferata, Juniperus communis ‘Compressa’.

Conifers for Containers Conifers can look great either on their own (especially when planted with a few small bulbs around their roots, to add splashes of seasonal colour) or in a mixed planting where they help to bring structure, texture and off-season colour.

Recommended: Juniperus compressa ‘Compressa’, Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Ellwood’s Gold’, Cryptomeria japonica ‘Sekkan-Sugi’ , Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Springtime’, Pinus leucodermis ‘Schmidtii’ Conifer Planting and Growing Tips - Make the planting hole a minimum of 1m wide by 30cm deep and incorporate plenty of bulky organic matter such as garden compost, proprietary planting mix or well-rotted manure.

- Tease or spread out the roots well and backfill the hole with garden soil mixed with planting compost.

- Make sure that only the roots are below the soil surface, water in well.

- Keep the soil moist at all times, especially during late spring and summer when drought is likely.

- Feed in April using a proprietary fertiliser to keep the growth good and ensure it is a good colour.

- Trim conifers regularly but remember if you cut back into old or brown growth you’ll end up expose all the old growth as they don’t produce dormant buds.

Visit Pippa’s website www.pippagreenwood.com for a great range of gardening-related items including‘Grow Your Own with Pippa Greenwood’ Gift Cards, handmade pottery herb planters, Pippa’s favourite weeding tool, signed books and lots of useful garden items.

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The one place for all your maintenance and building needs.

Electrical • Electrical Testing & Certificates • Rewires • Fuse board Changes • New Installations • Light / socket replacements • Appliance Installations

Gas • Gas Certificates • Boiler Installations • Boiler Services • Heating Breakdowns • Appliance Installations • No Job Too Small

020 8337 2884 To advertise email jenny@wplife.co.uk or call 020 8336 2915

39

Clubs

To feature in this section email info@wplife.co.uk

Mondays

Do you enjoy listening to show tunes, big band music, jazz, light classics etc? Come along to an evening of live music played by top artistes. We meet on the second Monday of each month at our Banstead venue Banstead Organ & Keyboard Club Church Institute Hall, High Street, Banstead SM7 2NN 13th October – Jon Smith 10th November - Tim Flint Doors open 7pm for 7:30pm start.(Visitors £7) Visitors & new members are always welcome to our concerts.

Further details from 020 8330 5795, or visit www. bansteadorganclub.co.uk Worcester Parkers Women’s Institute meet on the 3rd Monday of every month 7.45pm to 9.45pm at Christchurch with St Philip Church Hall in Ruskin Drive, Worcester Park. For more information contact Dawn Penn 0208 337 4361 dawn.wicontact@gmail.com *There is currently a waiting list.

Cheam Common Art Group Small friendly Art Group who meet at CHRIST CHURCH with ST PHILIP Ruskin Road, Worcester Park on Monday evenings 7.30 – 9.30 p.m.

Welcome new members just to draw and paint in any medium without tuition. If interested come down for an evening and meet us to see whether this is for you Brenda Banks 020 8330 0928 Worcester Park Over 60’s Welcome Club meet every Monday from 1pm to 3pm at Christ Church with St Philip Church Hall in Ruskin Drive. Worcester Park.

All over 60’s welcome to join us for a cup of tea and a biscuit or two, plus some outstanding entertainment in the way of singers and musicians. One Monday a month we have Bingo and every Monday we run a raffle. Days outings to the coast are organised throughout the summer months, and mid week holidays are organised two or three times a year. Come a little earlier and meet up with some friends and have a chat before the entertainment starts. We would love to see you. Contact Joyce on 020 8330 5065.

The ladies After Eight Club meet on the 2nd Monday of every month from 8pm onwards at Christchurch with St Philips church hall. We have interesting speakers, outings and dinners and all are welcome for a small subscription to cover our costs. Just come along and join in.

Please contact Carol on 020 8337 2452 for further information

Tuesdays The Worcester Park Dramatic Society is a local

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amateur drama group of long standing. We stage two major productions a year at the Adrian Mann Theatre in Ewell, in April and November. We meet every Tuesday and most Fridays at 8.15 pm in the Elmcroft Community Centre in North Cheam, on the Sainsbury’s site. Apart from play readings, rehearsals and set construction, we have quiz nights and various social events. We also arrange group outings to amateur and professional theatre productions. We welcome new members to help us stage future productions, anyone willing to act or work backstage. If interested, please contact our membership secretary, Joyce Cranfield, on 020 8337 3317.

“Lunch Break” - a friendly lunch club for those retired, meeting on a Tuesday 12-2pm (term time only) at Worcester Park Baptist Church, The Avenue - free, but donations invited. Occasional speakers. Contact Brian on 020 8224 6675 or Rowena 07837 941298 NHS Retirement Fellowship- Local Branch Are you retired or about to retire from the NHS? Why not join us on the 1st Tuesday of every month from 10am -12 at Christ Church Hall, Christ Church Road, Surbiton, KT5 8JJ. We have speakers, activities, coffee & chat.

Other outings & activities are also arranged during the month. For further details please contact Lorna on 020 8337 4121.

Worcester Park Crafters We meet on the first Tuesday of each month in the hall at Christchurch with St Philip, Ruskin Drive, Worcester park,KT4 8LG. We meet from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.

For further details please contact Lynne by E mail: lynnesinger@msn.com or phone on:020 8330 5903 Our aim is to provide a meeting/crafting place for all crafters whatever their craft or ability. Either bring your own work or purchase our kit of the month (small materials cost usually £2), come and play and chat. (small cost to over hall hire and insurance approx £4) Craft group - We meet at Christ Church with St Philip Ruskin Drive on the first TUESDAY of the month from 7.30-9.30pm A place where all crafters whatever their craft or ability can meet, craft, share ideas and learn from each other.

Feel free to bring your own projects or you can try our project of the month Cost: £5 per session Lynne Singer 020 8330 3590 or Toni Shepherd 07900 006367

Wednesdays Keep Fit Stay Fit every Wednesday 10.15-11.15am at Christ Church with St Philip, Ruskin Road. Come along and give it a try ! For more information please call Jo Hamilton on 020 8786 3444.

The Probus Club of Ewell

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Coming up to retirement? Just retired? Looking to make new friends? Why not join the Probus Club of Ewell? Since it was founded over 40 years ago, the Probus Club of Ewell has been attracting businessmen from Worcester Park and its surrounding areas with a broad range of professional and business backgrounds.

We meet on the first Wednesday of each month, usually at Bourne Hall in Ewell Village, for a Lunch followed by a Speaker. In addition to two Ladies Lunches during the year, there is an active social programme for members and their partners with visits to places of interest and West End Shows. If you would like to know more, please telephone our secretary, Bruce Urquhart, on 01737 373 690 or visit our website: http://4newmembers.ewell4probus.org.uk

Thursdays Monthly group for Vegans, and those in vegan food etc, meeting on the second Thursday of each month ,7pm until 8.30 pm at Christchurch with St Philip, Cheam Common Rd. RIng 0208 337 3722 for more info or find us on Facebook (Worcester Park Vegans). You don’t have to live in Worcester Park. Anyone interested ,who can get there to be with us,will be welcome!

East Surrey Family History Society For those who are interested in finding out how to investigate their family history the Sutton Branch of the East Surrey Family History Society holds meetings on the first Thursday of the month at St Nicholas Church Hall, Robin Hood Lane. Most months we have a professional speaker.

Further details of all our branch meetings, can be found at Our award winning website www.esfhs.org.uk 60+ Social Mixed Single Group We meet in a local pub every Thursday where we discuss outings for the weekends such as meal out, walking, theatre trips, cinemas and many other things. If you would like to join us please ring Maureen: 07761278661.

Kingston Phoenix Road Club is a cycling club that meets at 8-30pm every Thursday at Worcester Park Athlete Club, Green Lane, Worcester Park. The club was founded in 1936 and currently has a membership of 70. We cater for riders of all ages whether they are novices or experienced and our oldest rider is 84 years old who is still racing and holds several national age related records.

Malden Emergency First Aid Society (MEFAS) members meet every Thursday evening from 7.30 to 10pm. The public is invited to join members on short training courses. For further details please see MEFAS web site at http://e-voice.org.uk/mefas/ or telephone 020 8942 8653 or 07966661015 Breathe Easy (Merton & Sutton) Group.

Wheezy? Breathless? you are not alone, come and join us at your local friendly support & information group

for anyone affected by a lung condition.We meet between 2 - 4 pm on the 3rd. Thursday of every month at St Bedes Conference Centre, St Anthony’s Hospital, London Road, North Cheam. For more information please contact George on 0208 647 7530 Thursday Fellowship. Every Thursday at 2.30pm for men and women, finishing with a cup of tea and biscuits or cakes. A lively, friendly meeting at Worcester Park Baptist church in The Avenue.

Well-known, familiar hymns and prayers, musical afternoons, and a variety of speakers on topical subjects, including help and advice. New members welcome. For more information ring Jean Gathercole on 020 8642 9649 The Worcester Park Hello Club launched last November and is welcoming new members! We meet every Thursday morning from 10am – 12 noon.

The club is aimed at anyone who would like to come and join in with board games, quizzes, cards, occasional craft sessions - or just to have a chat and a coffee. Adults of any age are welcome to come and get to know each other. The main aims of the club are: • To meet new people and build friendships • To become involved with the local community • To access activities, information and advice The club is very friendly and informal. Every month there will be a member of staff attending from the SCILL Information & Advice Service – they have information on most topics for all your needs and will be pleased to assist you.

The drop in club was set up by Sutton Vision, Christ Church with St Philip and SCILL , working together in partnership. We are fortunate to be provided with a welcoming and comfortable venue at the Christ Church with St Philip Community Hall. There are accessible toilets on site. There is a small charge for coffee and tea at the church café.

If you would like to join us, please just turn up, or if you would like to speak to someone, please contact one of the following: SCILL 020 8770 4065 Sutton Vision 020 8409 7166 Christ Church with St Philip 020 8330 7630

Fridays Bartlett House Luncheon Club is a welcoming social club for the retired from work but not from life! Bartlett house, 49-51 The Avenue, Worcester Park,KT4 7HU Catch up with friends every Friday 11am-4pm This fun and friendly club is not for profit ensuring prices are kept to a minimum so it won’t cost the earth!

New members welcome. Transport may be available.

Contact us on 01372 720563 or 07807443156 Quest was set up in 1987 to provide a meeting place

To advertise email jenny@wplife.co.uk or call 020 8336 2915

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for people with physical disabilities between the ages of 20 - 60. However, once a member there is no age cut off. The aim of the club is to provide a welcoming, caring atmosphere for the members and allow the carers to have a regular break. Annual subscription. and £2.50 for lunch. We have various social activities and every second month we have a speaker, outings can be arranged if enough people wish to go. The venue is St. Philip Hall, Christchurch with St. Philip, Ruskin Drive, Worcester Park. We meet the 2nd and 4th Fridays in the month from 12.45 to 4p.m Contact June Day, Club Secretary, on 02083301220 RSPB Epsom And Ewell Local Group We meet the 2nd Friday of every month at 7.30, apart from July and August, at All Saints Church Hall Fulford Road, West Ewell with guest speakers who illustrate

National Trust - Epsom, Ewell and District Supporters GroupFormed in 1971, we run a varied programme of social eventswhich includes Evening Lectures at Bourne Hall in Ewell, once a month from Oct. to June, Coach Outings which visit historichouses and gardens(not necessarily N.T.),Guided London Walks, and other trips to London e.g.The Magic Circle, The Royal Opera House (backstage tour).Other special events include Coffee Mornings, Holidays and Christmas Lunch.

Newsletters are produced four times a year.If you would like more information please visit our website: www.epsom-ewell-district-nt.co.uk or telephone Paul on 020 87158486 Malden Manor Bowls Club Where: Manor Park, Malden Road. New members will be made very welcome. Roll ups, league matches, internal and external competition; we offer bowling for all levels of interest and ability. Contact their enthusiasm on a variety of natural history subjects.

Men’s Secretary Graham 020 8404 6259 or Ladies Secretary There is a small charge for non-members of the RSPB. If Pat: 020 8544 9704 you would like more information, please look at our Cheam High School Gym NO contract or joining fee, and website, www.rspb.org.uk/groups/epsom just £15 a month. It has everything other gyms have, we esu Worcester Park Womens’ Club. We are part of the also have a Personal Trainer on hand to help out and give utst National Association of Womens’ Clubs and we meet advise FREE of charge, something other gyms don’t offer. at Cheam Common Junior School, Kingsmead Avenue www.facebook.com/CHSGym We open to the public at ular every Friday from 7.30 to 9.30 (term time only). We have 5pm-9.30pm Monday - Friday and 10am-5pm Saturdays lea very interesting speakers, outings, a garden party in the summer and a quiz night rasising money for our chosen charity for the year. Why not come along and give us a try.

For more information call Carole on 020 8337 6088.

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General

Auriol Bowling Club was established in 1967, and plays on the 6-rink bowling green attached to the pavilion in Auriol Park, Salisbury Road, Worcester Park. It is a mixed club of around 45 men and 25 women, who play outdoors from April to September, with a busy fixture list of league and friendly matches against other clubs, as well as internal club competitions. For further information please contact the club Secretary, David Regan, on 020 8337 8919 or visit the website at www.auriolbowlingclub.com.

Cuddington Bowling Club will always welcome new members. The club is situated in Sandringham Road, Worcester Park and we play on an excellent 6 rink green that has been acclaimed by many of the club’s visitors this year. We are a mixed club with about 60 members and play a range of friendly and league fixtures catering for all abilities. For further information, please contact our Secretary Mike Ridley 02087158326 or our Treasurer Mark Broughton 02083379699.

Social Dancing With “ Glitters” At Bourne Hall, Spring Street, Ewell Village 8.15 pm – 11.00 pm Entrance £8 Over 18’s All standards Bar & Free parking & Professional D J We may not have Brucie but we do have a glitter ball!

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Please remember to mention Worcester Park Life when you speak to our advertisers

Thet

An independent preparatory An independent independentpreparatory preparatory An school for boys and girls schoolfor for boys and andgirls girls school aged 3boys to 11 years. aged3 3toto11 11 years. years. aged

“The pupils’ overall success is a result of highly teaching,isan “The pupils’effective overall success a outstanding result ult curriculum and wide extra-curricular experience, as well as the of highly effective teaching, an outstanding tan Independent Schools Inspectorate report pupils’ own excellent attitudes to learning.” curriculum and wide extra-curricular experience, as well as the ar e pupils’ own excellent attitudes to learning.” Independent Schools Inspectorate report arn

“The pupils’ overall success is a result ofus highly Come and see at our Tel: 020 8942 0754an outstanding effective teaching, Email: info@thestudyschool.co.uk Website: www.thestudyschool.co.uk Tel: 020 8942 0754 Open Morning on Email: info@thestudyschool.co.uk Website: www.thestudyschool.co.uk estu curriculum and wide extra-curricular 57 Thetford Road, New Malden KT3 5DP 5 7experience, T h e t f oT r d R o a d , N e as w M11th awell l d e n K Tas 3October, 5 D the P Saturday pupils’3 independent preparatory chool for boysexcellent and girlstillattitudes own to learning.”

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pupils’ overall success is a result ghly effective teaching, an outstanding culum and wide extra-curricular experience, as well as the Email: info@thestudyschool.co.uk s’ own excellent attitudes to learning.” Independent Schools Inspectorate report

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43

Researching Asylums

by Dave Padget Asylum is one of those words which whilst not changing meaning,has become nowadays unfamiliar in common useage.The Oxford Dictionary states the meaning of the word thus: 1 [mass noun] (also political asylum) The protection granted by a state to someone who has left their home country as a political refugee: she applied for asylum and was granted refugee status [as modifier]: his asylum application was refused More example sentences 1.Shelter or protection from danger: we provide asylum for those too ill to care for themselves Synonyms 2 dated An institution for the care of people who are mentally ill: he’d been committed to an asylum We now more commonly use the word asylum in meaning number 1 above Not so long ago the more common use of the word would relate to point number 2,and it was not only people suffering from mental illness who were “committed” to asylums. People who we would now describe as having special educational needs in days gone by or women having children out of wedlock could easily end up in an asylum.Before the advent of social services and other NHS provisions, asylums grew out of the Poor Law provisions and were the principal service provision for “mentally subnormal” or “mentally handicapped” people as they were then described.

It is only now following the popular television series,”Secrets from the Asylum” and the documentary about the Queen’s relatives that popular media is becoming aware of these places some 25 years since most of them closed.

Locally there were a number of asylums which over the years provided accommodation and training for people who for one reason or another could not live with their parents or family.

Remember, these were days before many effective treatments had been developed for epilepsy, mood disorders and depression as well as psychosis and where the infant welfare state had yet to understand many of the conditions which could result in a developmental delay or handicap.Where parents in unfortunate circumstances may have struggled with many children and not have the resources or support to allow them to care for a child with a disability.

Within a 20 mile radius of New Malden,there were at least 6 such asylums.Over the years,successive public social policy changed them from being archtitect designed havens of peace and tranquility in the

44

countryside for the disadvantaged and disabled to the discredited,outdated and neglected “bins”,mired in scandal and neglected.

It is significant that whilst some of these places have been demolished,others have been turned into very up market apartments and dwellings which have restored some of the original vision of the 19th century philanthropists and architects who created them in the first place I was privileged to visit many of these establishments in the course of my working life and would like to hear from anyone locally who has memories or experiences of these places.I am interested in researching these lost worlds where so many people live for very long times before the advent of community care.I recognise that many of the memories may be painful.

Of particular interest are first- hand accounts of Normansfield hospital,Teddington,St Ebbas hospital and The Manor in Epsom,The Royal Earlswood in Redhill,St Lawrences in Caterham,Queen Mary’s Hospital in Carshalton and Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital in Banstead.

All contact will be treated in the strictest confidence but I am hoping to create a document which will provide an insight into the lives led by so many that was and to some extent has remained largely hidden.

www.elegantcurtains.info

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Dream Doors Kingston A5_Directory 16/04/2012 11:46 Page 1

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Recipe

Mushroom and chicken pot pies

Makes 4 Ready in 1 hour 25g dried porcini mushrooms 25g butter 2 tbsp olive oil 2 shallots, peeled and chopped 2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed 400g mixed mushrooms, chopped if large 250g chicken breast fillet, diced 200g tub crème fraiche 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves 300g puff pastry Beaten egg, to glaze 1 Place the porcini in a heatproof bowl and cover with 150ml boiling water. Leave to soak for 10-15 minutes. Preheat the oven to 220C, Fan 200C, Gas Mark 7.

2 Heat the butter and half the olive oil in a large frying pan and fry the shallots for 5 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and fry for a further 3-4 minutes then stir in all the mushrooms and fry over a high heat until softened. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.

3 Add the rest of the oil to the frying pan and fry the diced chicken for 5-6 minutes until golden brown all over.

4 Drain the porcini mushrooms and add the soaking liquid to the chicken. Bring to the boil then simmer

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for 5 minutes until reduced. Meanwhile, finely chop the porcini mushrooms and stir into the fried mushrooms and shallots.

5 Return all the mushrooms and shallots to the pan and stir in the crème fraiche and thyme leaves.

Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Divide the mixture between four individual ovenproof pie dishes. Brush the rims of the dishes with water.

6 Roll out the pastry to about 4mm thickness. Cut out four circles of pastry big enough to fit on top of the dishes with a little pastry overlapping the edges.

Drape the pastry circles over the filling. Decorate the tops with leaves cut from the pastry trimmings and brush the pastry with beaten egg. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes until the pastry is crisp and golden.

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These perfectly portioned individual pies make a filling lunch or supper simply served with steamed vegetables. You can use any mix of mushrooms but it’s worth looking out for packs of mixed exotic mushrooms for extra flavour.

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47

Voice for Wildlife

acorns I gathered from the ground around it in Autumn and often came home with a satchel full of them. I also collected shells and pebbles I’m loving it! from the beaches where we spent our Summer

by Carol Williams holidays, conkers, leaves and feathers. In our back garden I played with worms and caught I have been a Nature lover from as far back as craneflies in gentle cupped hands, just to look I can remember. I don’t know how I got to be more closely and let them go. Spider’s webs this way, since I grew up in an ordinary suburb frosted with dew on the bushes in Autumn have of London. The nearest green spaces to our Tree qualified alwaysR.J. seemed likeServices beautiful works of Art&toprofession me.

R.J. Tree Services qualified & professional staff are dedicated house were the recreation ground, the cemetary, When I grew up and discovered how much ofin every to the highest levels of service to the highest levels of service in every instance. a churchyard and the school playing field. untamed wilderness we were losing, I joined Sometimes on Summer evenings our parents WWF, I realisedtohow weadvice are damaging We when are happy give – on all you We are happy to give advice – on all and your arboricultural queries. took us out by the river at Walton or Runnymede this planet with so many of our activities, I joined and occasionally to Burnham Beeches. They Friends of the Earth. I just wanted to help the sat in the car and listened to the radio, • Free and quotes • reading, Free quotesNature I loved, help it remain beautiful rich re dedicated while we three children went off to play. My inqualified diversity.

• Fully NPTC qualified • Fully NPTC parents knew nothing about plants or animals, It saddens me deeply have, • Treewe reductions / cr • and Treedidreductions / crown thinshow carelessly did not go for walks in the countryside as a species, allowed so many other inhabitants to either encourage or discourage anfellingof this earth to go to the brink•of Tree ulturalnothing queries. felling • Tree extinction or interest in these things.

• Stump removal vanish forever.

Planning applications that leave • Stump removal There was a magnificent mature oak tree at the no space for wildlife, roads that them no • allow Hedgeworks Hedgeworks end of the schoolfield. To my six R.J. year•old legsServices it safe places to cross,vast areas of concrete anddedicated Tree qualified & professional staff are seemed like miles to walk or run down it, but •ofTree surveys • toTree surveys & reports tarmac made for the great god this age, the & repo to the highest levels of service in every instance.

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car, and the relentless grubbing up of every small patch of rough land that is home to small, unseen creatures that few humans even notice - all these things are my sorrows.

My joys are the places where the wild things are, and we are lucky in this area, with the Hogsmill Conservation Area nearby, many lovely parks, Epsom and Ashtead Commons, Horton Country Park and so on. It is very easy to imagine yourself in the heart of the countryside in these places, although you might only be a hundred yards from a major road.

But look around as you walk down an ordinary street. Many are tree lined, with grass verges, and small beauties may be found here too. Alan Jenkins, in his book ‘Wildlife in the City’, writes this: “ the wildflowers that struggle to take root in the city are often so humble as to pass unnoticed except by the observant eye. Yet a list of them sounds like a catalogue from some country lane - horehound, red dead nettle, wild barley, meadow foxtail, cat’s ear, hawkbit, goosegrass, woody nightshade, corn bindweed, knapweed, sow-thistle, fever-few.”

With the restoration of Shadbolt Park pond and the creation, around and behind it, of wild areas, we are trying to give Nature the space it is often denied, the space to abound and ‘do its thing’ without much interference from us. In just four years, the diversity of small life there has astonished and delighted the three of us who regularly tend it. Brambles may not be everyone’s favourite wild plant, but they are wonderful for wildlife, and, where there is no need to grub them up, we ought to leave them. For nesting birds they provide unbeatable protection from cats. In Spring their flowers are a magnet for bees,i n Autumn they will reward us with delicious, free fruit. Most back gardens could have a wild area with brambles and other untamed delights. I wish they did. Bees need wild flowers.

Recently, the council mowers and strimmers have been round my streets. I always regret their visits. Not only do they make a huge mess and noise, they get rid of the small beauties - the tiny yellow, pink, blue, purple and white flowers that have had a brief glory amongst the grasses. Yarrow is plentiful at the time of writing, where it is allowed to be, but mostly it is just cut down.

We need to leave more wild meadow areas yes, when you leave a patch of grass uncut, it becomes a meadow, a nursery for wild plants, allowing them to set seed, and spread. Field poppy seeds, I learned on Springwatch this year, may lie in the ground for up to 100 years before germinating - how about that? Perhaps in the soil in many places hereabouts are the seeds of field poppies, waiting, and if we left the grasses, maybe poppies would come; imagine all that scarlet appearing - and we could always sow a few seeds to help it all along - cornflowers, oxeeye daisies etc.

We planted toadflax in the Shadbolt Park - it is a shade tolerant wildflower and it’s very beautiful. It is doing well where we put it. Most the wild plants have come in of their own accord, however, blown by the wind, brought by the birds, coming up, like those poppies could, after years of dormancy, making the most of a new opportunity to push towards the light.

I began this piece by marvelling at how someone with my upbringing could end up so wowed and awed by the natural world. I end it by saying that just allowing children to be in and around Nature is enough - you don’t have to teach them anything. Let them feel, smell, hear and be right in it, whenever and wherever you can. I might not have listened if anyone had tried to tell me anything about Nature as a child, it might have bored me. But being in it, experiencing it, that has been life enhancing.

To advertise email jenny@wplife.co.uk or call 020 8336 2915

.

49

Kids Play

There’s lots going on for pre-schoolers

Monday

Worcester Park Baptist Church 9.30-11.30- a lively toddler group, where carers of any kind are welcome to attend and supervise their youngsters. Our age range is from young babies to 3-4 years. Sarah on 020 8393 7299 or email via the church’s website www.wpbc.org.uk Christ Church with St Philip Parent and Toddler Group is a very welcoming and relaxed place to meet new friends for yourself and your toddlers. We are open to all Mums, Dads, Grandparents and Carers. We meet in the Church Hall on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9.30 until 11.15am during term time

Tuesday

Toddling2Church, Christ Church with St Philip 2-3pm Parents, carers and pre-school children are all welcome to join us for songs with percussion instruments, a Bible story simply and sensitively told, a story-related craft activity and, of course, drinks and biscuits.

Wednesday

Christ Church with St Philip Parent and Toddler Group 9.30 until 11.15am - see Monday Worcester Park Baptist Church 9.30-11.30- see Monday. we have vacancies on a Wednesday

Friday

Christ Church with St Philip Parent and Toddler Group 9.30 until 11.15am - see Monday

Saturday

Men behaving Dadly, Grace Church - every 3rd Saturday of the month, 9.30 to 11 am, at Green Lane Primary School. For Dads and their pre-school children (0-4). The kids get to play with the toys, the Dads get a bacon roll and coffee, and Mums might possibly get a lie-in... £3 on the door. For more information & contact details, www.gracechurchworcesterpark.org Old Malden Library (Church Road, Worcester Park) Tuesdays, 10.30-11am, Rhyme time aimed at age 0-3 Tuesdays, 2.30-3pm, Story time aimed at age 3+

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MUSIC CLASSES FOR BABIES & TODDLERS AGED 6 MONTHS – 3 YEARS Taught by a qualified Suzuki-method music teacher.

Thursday At Worcester Park Library, Windsor Road, Worcester Park, KT4 8ES

Friday At Surbiton Library Halls, Ewell Road, Surbiton, KT6 6AG

9.45-10.30am Toddler class 10.35-11.20am Baby class

10-10.45am Chinese music class (suitable for Chinese/ non- Chinese speaking families)

To book your place please contact Ginger on 07525 497 124 or email infomusicfun@gmail.com www.gingersmusicfun.com

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51

Safer Neighbourhoods General safety advice

by PCSO Gary Weaving

Personal Safety Please remember, what you are about to read is just general advice and good sense. You live in one of the safest wards in one of the safest Borough’s in the Metropolitan Police Area.

• Think ahead and plan your journey, avoiding deserted areas.

• Try to avoid walking alone at night, and keep to well-lit main roads where possible.

You should try to avoid short cuts like alleyways, waste ground and wooded, bushy areas.

• Stay alert: be aware of what’s going on around you.

• It is always worth letting someone know where you are going, the route you intend to take and when you expect to return.

• Consider investing in a mobile phone. There are various services available for light users.

• Try to avoid wearing headphones - your ability to hear traffic, strangers or potential trouble is severly restricted.

In an emergency dial 999 Safety for Teenagers As we all know, teenagers need more freedom than younger children. They become increasingly independent from their families, they’re social life expands and becomes more active, they might start to take up part-time jobs. It’s difficult to always know exactly where they are or what they’re up to. There are a number of tips they can follow, however, for their own safety and your peace of mind. Make your teenager aware of these simple tips.

• Tell parents where you will be, and how to contact you if possible • Go out accompanied with friends, especially at night, and come back with them. Try to give your parents/ carers an approximate time that you expect to be home.

• If going far, and on your own, get a lift or taxi there and back • If your lift back doesn’t show up on time, find out why. Ask if you can stay a little longer until it does, or phone a taxi and if you are going to be considerably later, text or contact those who will worry.

• Don’t take a lift with someone who’s been drinking, or with someone you’ve just met • When looking for a casual job, like babysitting, do

it through family or friends.

Be careful about answering advertisements - if you do answer an advert, go with a friend or family member on the first day • If you are babysitting, make sure you have the number of the child’s parents. If anyone comes to the house, don’t let them in • On a paper round, never go into stranger’s house or take a lift They might be expensive sometimes, but mobile phones can offer a link to added safety.

It might be worth considering buying one for this reason alone.

If you already carry a phone, regularly check that it is charged and if it is a ‘Pay as you go’ phone, check your balance is ok.

Lastly, do not walk down the road texting your friends. There are those who would think nothing of taking your phone from you. If you have to make a call, make sure you are not being watched.

Stay safe.

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55

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup Portobello Mushroom  Filled with Stilton & walnuts

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A 10% service charge will be added to the final bill. without prior notice We reserve the right to change the menu at any time

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Please check availability as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

www.thebrookworcesterpark.co.uk / 0208 337 6891 Please remember to mention Worcester Park Life when you speak to our advertisers 181 Central Road, Worcester Park, KT4 8DR