Worcester Park Life Sept 19 by jenny stuart

Worcester Park Life

KT4’s ONLY FREE Independent Community Magazine and Business Guide Sept‘19 Issue 136

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Welcome to YOUR Worcester Park Life from jenny@maldenmedia.co.uk Hope you’ve all had a good summer and enjoyed, or, are looking forward to some quality time away. I often find holidays a good chance to reflect on what I am coming home to! Over the summer we visited some elderly relatives who have put their house on the market with the intention of moving to a less remote location. Like most of us, over the years their possessions have grown in number and they have collected a serious amount of stuff! And as we all know, clutter does make it tricky for viewers to see exactly what they are buying. But isn’t it easy to walk into a situation like that and judge which treasures should go without fully understanding the emotional attachment of said items.... Their case is a bit more extreme than ours as we rarely use the

& Since ‘08

Best of luck to all our young people who are starting new schools, colleges and universities this month - may you settle in quickly and make good friends, some of who may last a lifetime! I hope you enjoy a good read and also see what our local businesses have to offer. If you’ve any feedback on how they’re doing, or have any ideas for future editions, news or views to share then please get in touch. 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. There are a limited number of copies available from Waitrose, Worcester Park Library, St Mary’s and Christ Church with St Philip. The copy dates for the next couple of editions are below. If you’d like to advertise or have a local story to tell, please call or email.

Since ‘05

Published by Malden Media Ltd Editor Jenny Stuart jenny@maldenmedia.co.uk 020 8336 2915 www.maldenmedia.co.uk 36 Rosebery Avenue KT3 4JS

one ironing board that we have so it seems obviously unnecessary to be owning four! This experience along with Ali’s article on page 14 is going to help me to be ruthless over the next couple of weeks - if you need inspiration too then I hope it’s useful.

Jenny Deadline for our October editions 19th September Deadline for our November editions 21st October

Please note that the opinions expressed in this magazine do not necessarily represent the views of the editor. All advertisements are commercial and not indicative of any endorsement by the editor who accepts no responsibility for any loss suffered directly or indirectly by any reader as a result of any advertisement or notice published in this magazine. All in-house artwork and editorial presented in this magazine remains the copyright of Malden Media Ltd. No part of this magazine may be reproduced, stored on any retieval system, or transmitted in any form - electronic, mechanical. recording, photocopying, or otherwise without prior permission from the Publisher.

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Worcester Park History Excavating Nonsuch in 1959… excavating Nonsuch in 2019 by David Rymill This summer it is 60 years since the Nonsuch Palace excavations of 1959; in this article I am marking this anniversary, and also giving details of new archaeological investigations at Nonsuch taking place in September. The construction of Nonsuch Palace, near the bend in the avenue through the present Nonsuch Park, was begun for Henry VIII in 1538, on the site of the demolished church of Cuddington village; it was unfinished at his death in 1547. On a practical level it was intended as an outpost of Hampton Court, for use by the king on hunting trips; symbolically, its ornamentation, which made it ‘none such’ in terms of quality rather than size, celebrated the birth of Prince Edward (later Edward VI) and allowed Henry to present himself as the heir of the Classical heroes of the past, and an exemplar of Renaissance monarchy. In the 1950s John Dent, Borough Librarian of Epsom and Ewell, undertook much preliminary research to establish the site of the palace, and a fortuitous meeting in 1957 between archaeologist Martin Biddle and architectural historian Sir John Summerson began the process which led to the decision to excavate. Over the course of twelve weeks, from 6th July 1959, the excavations, directed by Martin Biddle, revealed much of the Palace foundations, and many artefacts. Digging was undertaken by paid staff and volunteers, some from nearby and others from further afield, accommodated in the Civil Defence Club at Bluegates in the London Road. The excavations were vividly described in John Dent’s ‘The Quest for Nonsuch’, published in 1962 and reprinted in 1981. In 1982 Professor Biddle and Sir John Summerson wrote the Nonsuch entry for the ‘History of the King’s Works’, and in 2005 Professor Biddle produced ‘Nonsuch Palace: the Material Culture of a Noble Restoration Household’, describing in more than 500 pages the thousands of finds, from pottery to pewter, and from leadwork to leather shoe fragments. Unusual items included a wooden pocket sundial, perhaps imported from Nuremberg in the 16th century. Martin Biddle’s book explains that much of the palace was, apparently, thoroughly cleaned following the

last occasion when the whole complex was used, as a temporary home for the Exchequer when London was ravaged by plague in 1665-6. Most finds came from the eastern half of the Outer Court, the gatehouses and the Kitchen Court, areas known to have been previously associated with the Keeper of the Palace and Little Park. He suggests that after the 1660s this was the only part of the palace that was occupied, probably by the family of Lord Berkeley, Keeper in the 1660s-80s. This would explain a painting preserved at Berkeley Castle unconventionally showing the palace with the Kitchen Court prominent in the foreground. The relative lack of clay pipes, and the presence of what seem to be cosmetic items, may suggest occupation by women and children, and there is written evidence of Berkeley’s daughter-in-law Viscountess Dursley and her small children living here in the 1680s – when the Inner Court was already being demolished – while her husband Charles, later ambassador to Holland, was at court. Professor Biddle comments ‘The life of Nonsuch ends on a domestic note, fittingly for a palace, however flamboyant, built long before to celebrate the birth of a long hoped-for heir to the English throne.’ Our illustrations, both taken in August 1959, show the excavations of the Palace, with some of the medieval Cuddington Church foundations in the centre background, taken by Margaret Rymill, and a group of diggers at the excavations, courtesy of Bill and Elsie Spinks.

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reached. Each pit should be finished within one day (although this is not always the case!). Even if you do not wish to participate, you are still welcome to visit: it is hoped that there will be re-enactors to entertain, information boards, and a shop courtesy of Bourne Hall Museum. Toilets and a popular cafe are a ten minute walk away at Nonsuch Mansion. The Service Wing of the Mansion, plus a detailed model of Nonsuch Palace, and a replica of one of the stucco panels which decorated the exterior of the building, will be open courtesy of The Friends of Nonsuch on Sunday 22nd, 2pm-5pm. Did any WPL readers take part in the 1959 excavations? If you would like to contribute memories of digging or helping in another way, please get in touch. Next month, there will be a chance to take part in a new excavation, organised by Surrey Archaeological Society, using test pits to search for Elizabeth I’s stables complex.

There will be free parking at the London Road entrance to Nonsuch Park (closest to Ewell ByPass) – KT17 2DL – and the site will be signposted from the car park. David.Rymill1993@alumni.aber.ac.uk (but for enquiries about the test pitting, please

Volunteers can try digging, sieving and finds washing, whilst being supervised by experienced archaeologists. Those physically unable to dig are welcome to help with finds. The test pitting will take place between 10am and 4pm on 21-22nd September in Old Stables Field, Nonsuch Park, and volunteers can book for a day, a session or both days depending on availability. If you wish to take part, it is essential to book at outreach@ surreyarchaeology.org.uk The new stable complex was built in 1599-1600 in the Little Park, during Queen Elizabeth I’s ownership of the palace. In the 1650 Parliamentary Survey these stables were described as ‘a little remote from Nonsuch house upon the North East’. They comprised a long stable and lodgings, a smaller stable and two barns adjoining the stable building, so this was apparently a relatively large complex. Field walking in 1959-63 revealed 15th and 16thcentury activity in Old Stables Field, and magnetometry (geophysics) in 2019 has revealed some linear features that may represent a brick culvert, foundation walls and dumps of building material. Test pitting is a quick way of assessing the archaeological potential of the site while offering beginners the chance to experience practical archaeology; 1m square pits are dug in 10cm spits and excavation stops when archaeology is

Worcester Park, Old Malden and North Cheam: History at our Feet Published in 2012 and available at £10 (plus £2 towards postage if required) from the Rymill family. Ring 020 8330 6563 for more details. This 300-page book tells the story of Worcester Park from the Iron Age to the present day, and includes memories of local life from 1908 onwards, and over 150 maps, photographs and drawings - mostly never published before.

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A Community Opportunity At Malden Parochial C of E Primary School We are an ‘outstanding’ (Ofsted 2007) Primary School in Old Malden Worcester Park and we are looking to recruit governors to join our friendly and busy Governing Body.  Do you believe in a caring, effective and challenging education for all?  Do you have approximately 6 hours a month to attend meetings, visit school and talk to children?  Do you have skills in, business management, IT or building management?  Do you want to make a difference to children’s educational journey? If your answers are ‘yes’, becoming a school Governor is the job for you and you will be truly welcomed. Interested? Please ring school on 0208 337 4804 give us your telephone number and we will contact you as soon as possible for a chat/meeting where we can answer your questions. Thank you, Brenda Mitchell & Trish Brown co-Chairs of Governing Body. To advertise email jenny@maldenmedia.co.uk or call 020 8336 2915

Ruth Jemmett Writes September days - Going Into Autumn

September marks the end of summer, and For the farmers this is the time of the grain the beginning of autumn. It is the ninth harvest. Harvest Festival is celebrated on month of the year, but it was the seventh the 22nd of the month. When I was youngl month of the old Roman calendar, and I remember how schools encouraged the its name comes from the Latin Septem, pupils to take in offerings of tinned or dried meaning seven. The Anglo Saxons called foods at that time, to distribute to local good September Gerstmonath, meaning Barley causes. Food cupboards countrywide were Month. Weather lore says that the three raided, as families got rid of tins of sardines days preceding the Autumnal Equinox on that had been sitting there for months! 23rd September, (which is when the sun crosses the celestial equator going south) On the 2nd of the month we recall The Great determines the weather for the next Fire of London that occurred in 1666. As three months. This is the time of year that most of the buildings in London at that time P U T Ychildren O U R dread, GAR N M I Nschool T E Nterm A Nlooms! CE IN T H Emostly made of wood, it was an accident waiting as D theEstart of aAnew were H A N D Every S Oyear F SatOthis Mtime E OIN E W O R Ewalking A L L Y C A RtoEhappen. S' watch theHchildren Although the death toll of the disaster reluctantly along Salisbury Road, some of the younger was considerably lower than that of The Great Plague, ones wearing new uniforms that look a little on the large which had killed more than 75,000 in the two preceding - Tree surgery - One Tidy side!off When you are a child and school summer holidays years, many were made homeless. The reconstruction - Stump - Garden begin, it Maintenance seems that they will last forever,Grinding but eventually of the city after the fire meant that a lot of streets were the Autumn term has to be faced! I rememberand only Weeding straightened, and people saw the sense of constructing - Strimming - Decking and Lawns too well making my way to a bus-stop on aclearance misty chilly buildings in brick. Sir Christopher Wren was responsible - Garden - Hedge Trimming mornings when I was a schoolgirl, seeing spiders’ webs for the rebuilding of more than 50 churches, including Path and Patio WashingSt Paul’s Cathedral. and for the construction of a - Landscaping on bushes, and wishing it was-summer again! momument to the great fire.

The 3rd of September 1939 marked the beginning of World War Two. I was born in 1946, just after the end of hostilities, and remember only too well the days of food rationing, and seeing bomb sites in London. The local schools I attended still had air-raid shelters in their grounds. Even so, I had no comprehension of what the ‘PUT YOUR GARDEN MAINTENANCE IN THE pressgardenservices.co.uk Tel: 020 8330 7787 generation had endured. In the 1950s this previous HANDS OF SOMEONE WHO REALLY CARES’ w.cypressgardenservices.co.uk Mobile: 07958 272‘Mental Hospitals’, as they were known. area 727 had five Many of the patients had suffered the most awful - One off Tidy physical and metal anguish during the wartime years. - Garden Maintenance

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The 6th – 12th September is Migraine Awareness Week. One in ten of us will suffer from this condition, and it affects every section of society. Coming from a family of ‘migraineurs’ I know only too well how it can impact on people’s lives. It seems to have many different causes, and the day can’t come soon enough for when a real cure is found. On 15th of September I will be Prince Harry’s Birthday. When he got married it seemed that he was everyone’s favourite person. Sadly, over the past few months the media seem to have ganged up on him and his wife, trying to find fault with everything they do. Unfortunately in this country we have a habit of building people up to a great height, and then taking

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delight in knocking them down. I think it’s about time the press played nicely again. Apparently he once told a friend at nursery school “Mummy doesn’t go to Sainsbury’s. We have our own farm”. |He knows no other way of life. Buckingham Palace has 775 rooms (I know – unbelievable!), so we can hardly expect anyone growing up in that environment to identify with ordinary people .He can’t help having been born into royalty.

could gather at such events. A rhyme of days gone by was:

The late comedian, Ronnie Barker, was born on 25th September 1929. He started life as a bank clerk. He brought much joy to our lives, and we never tire of seeing repeats of his very funny television shows. Apparently, at his memorial service at Westminster Abbey vergers carried four huge candles instead of the usual two – a nod to the famous ‘fork handles’ sketch. How he would have loved that! Apparently one of his hobbies was to collect saucy seaside postcard. After his death 40,000 of them sold for£60,000!

Some of you may be familiar with the work of the late poet Florence Smith, who was known as Stevie. I was recently reading some of her work. In this country the leading cause of death for men under forty is suicide. Perhaps words from Stevie’s most famous poem will resonate with people of box sexes who have mental health issues. It describes someone swimming: “I was much further out than you thought, and not waving but drowning”. Thank goodness men in particular are learning to voice their worries before they feel engulfed by life’s stresses. Let us all try and be the friend we would like to have, and to notice when people are waving….

Michaelmas falls on 29th September. It is one of the four days on which quarterly rents are paid. It used to be a tradition to serve goose on this day, which came from the practice of giving one’s landlord a gift at this time. Contracts of employment often used to start and end then, and fairs were held so that those looking for work

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And when the tenants come to pay their quarter rent, They bring some fowl at Midsummer, a dish of fish in lent, At Christmas a capon, at Michaelmas a goose, And somewhat else at New Year’s tide, for fear their lease fly loose.

Now is the time to get those winter woollies out and get the boiler checked – and start sweeping up those leaves!

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SALES MARKET UPS & DOWNS

DEEPER DOWN

This month has brought the usual mixed messages in the press. Prices have risen by 3.5% in Northern Ireland, an area hard hit by falling prices, of up to 60%, in the 2008 recession. The prime London market is being bolstered by foreign investors snapping up high end properties, taking advantage of currency swings and wanting to buy before 31st October. Overall it is reported prices fell slightly this month, though less than normal for the time of year. As is usual the local market has steered a mid-line course through that and remained resilient.

We recently came across a “situation” involving drains. We thought we would share it as many may not be aware of how to deal with the issue. Late on a Tuesday afternoon a blockage resulted in unpleasant overflow within 2 of 4 linked properties. One owner called a company who attended promptly, took a few hours to clear the blockage, were paid and left. So far, so good. The issue arises as the relevant water board, had they been called, would also have cleared the blockage, and may also have decided to repair the drain which is noted as being cracked, free of charge.

There is increasing discussion of a pent-up demand, something we have been aware of for some months. We continue to talk to buyers and sellers who have waited for the ‘right’ time to make a move for so long now that they have decided to simply get on with it. As a consequence, the market continues to be active and it appears likely that no matter what happens in the political world activity is going to hold steady, if not increase. We have also noticed a number of our tenants are actively saving to buy in the next couple of years, and a majority of those leaving our rentals are moving into a home they have bought rather than a let property.

On 1st October 2011 the ownership of private sewers and lateral drains was transferred to the relevant sewerage companies in England & Wales and, as a consequence, they are responsible for their maintenance. Most water board websites have a diagram to show which drains they are not responsible for, usually those on your land, though not always, and those for which they are. As a rule of thumb any drain, even if it is on your land, that is shared between you and another property would be the responsibility of the water board. This applies if there is a blockage, collapse or rodent issue within the drain.

The increase in activity has taken some areas of the industry slightly by surprise and is proving problematic as a shortage of manpower is resulting in the process between sale and exchange slowing down. We would normally hope to progress sales from sale agreed to completion in around 3 months. At the moment larger chains, in particular, are taking longer.

Prevention is always better than cure. Drains become blocked over time, usually by a combination of fat poured down the sink, which hardens almost immediately it reaches the cold walls of the drain, together with non-biodegradable materials such as wipes etc. Clearing such material, known as a fatberg, is no job for those with a sensitive nose, but it’s good to know where you might be able to get free help!

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A more sustainable me

The one where I take stock of what I need and consider borrowing rather than buying by Ali

Warner

To paraphrase Monty Python, I’m a hoarder and so’s my mum, and my dad for that matter. I’m not saying it’s genetic but the fact that my dad still has vests from the war years has rubbed off on me. I knew I had to do something when the room in my home that I had made specifically into a home office became the very room I didn’t want to work in. Dumb bells, vintage tea sets, spare monitors, I couldn’t see the desk for the mess. And I couldn’t work out where to start in making it right. I called a friend to share my woes. “It can’t be that bad.” she said. Then she came round and admitted that it was. Fortunately for me a lovely New Malden lady called Georgie was looking for test customers for her decluttering business and I willingly offered my services. This is what I learned… Three top tips on how to change the way things work in your house 1: Just start - the most common phrase I hear says Georgie is: ’I just don’t know where to start’. There is no magic place to begin, you just have to start with something and keep going. 2: Have a place for everything - the old adage is so true. It really doesn’t matter where you decide to put stuff, as long as they have a place that makes sense for you and your family. Think about where you use items, how often (so how accessible they need to be) and stick to that place. Then you can always find them and when you introduce a new item in that category it already has a home. 3: Let go - be honest about what you need, once you have a place for everything (including a place for your sentimental items) you can let the rest of it go. Under Georgie’s care and guidance things I no longer needed were put in a pile for charity or sent to the great green bin. She also made sure things that didn’t have a place were given one that made sense, she advised on ways to file and shred and keep on top of admin and at the end of the session she took the charity bags away with her. That not only ensured the clutter was cleared but that I didn’t have a sneaky second look and put back all the stuff I’d thrown out.

The Crystal Palace Library of Things But that’s just one part of my taking stock story. What about the things you don’t often use but are still useful - it’s hard to throw those away. These are often the purchases we need for a certain task or time or event, and then once that event is past they sit in the cupboard and gather dust. Wouldn’t it be great if you could borrow that tent or sander or ice cream maker without buying it and then leaving them untouched in the back of the cupboard for years? Well, it seems like I’m not the only person to think that way. In 2014 the Library of Things was started by three friends, who were motivated to set it up because they were living in small spaces in South London and short on cash. They were inspired by lending libraries in Berlin and Toronto (Toronto Tool Library) and tested it their local neighbourhood in Crystal Palace. Today they have 74 Things available for borrowing. These fit loosely into five collections: Cleaning (think Steam Cleaners and Dehumidifier), DIY (think Drills and Saws), Adventuring & Hobbying (think a GoPro and Tents), Gardening (think Strimmers and Shears) and Cooking & Hosting (think Waffle Makers and Projectors.) “We have the big hits that will always be there,” says the library’s community manager, Alys Penfold, “ like

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the carpet cleaner and projector, but borrowers can also make requests for new Things through a process we call ‘wishlisting’. For example, last November, borrowers in Crystal Palace voted for a Nintendo 64, dehumidifier, karaoke machine and party starter kit. So these 4 new Things were on the shelves in time for Christmas! The library rarely accepts donations. “We want to encourage more and more people to borrow so we lend out the best Things we can source,” explains Alys. “This is why we build relationships directly with manufacturers and top brands like Bosch and Karcher. We can also negotiate warranties and feedback to make products better. Donated Things often only last a few borrows before breaking and don’t come with warranties. This is a problem not only for us, creating a backlog of bookings, but imagine how frustrating it is for the person it breaks on.

“And you don’t necessarily even need to borrow from us. We always encourage people to knock on their neighbour’s door or put out a request on their neighbourhood forums if they need to borrow something. It saves space, saves money and encourages you to try new Things. Like we say, why buy when you can borrow?” You can find out more about the Library of things at www.libraryofthings.co.uk, to contact Georgie about her home decluttering services email george@ simplifybygeorge.com

It doesn’t mean it won’t be useful to someone else though - consider donating to a charity shop who accepts electrical donations, or popping it on Freecycle, or sharing it with your neighbours!” As for those people thinking like me about borrowing rather than buying Alys says. “Do it. It’s a really straightforward, positive and community-orientated way to make your lifestyle a bit more eco-friendly.

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Parkin’ some thoughts Last Orders?

by Nick Hazell

Charles de Gaulle once said, “genius sometimes consists of knowing when to stop”. Some of the best decisions I’ve ever made have involved pressing delete rather than send. Indeed, wisdom is often displayed by doing nothing rather than giving in to the urge to do something. I was reminded of this recently while sat in a waiting room prior to yet another medical related appointment. I’d arrived early and was rifling through the assortment of magazines in the vague hope of finding one that was printed in this century and which contained more than pictures of so called celebrities, diet plans and Lorraine Kelly. Having discarded several well thumbed copies of OK, Grazia and Hello from this journalistic detritus my eye was caught by a recent but incongruously placed copy of the National Geographic. So as to look in keeping with the surroundings, I carefully placed the edition inside a copy of Woman’s Weekly from 1994 and read an interesting article on El Dorado, the legendary city of Gold sought by 16th century explorers. Due to the often lateral way in which my mind works, it wasn’t long before my thoughts drifted to a different El Dorado, the 90’s BBC creation set in the fictional town of Los Barcos on the Costa Eldorado. It followed the lives of a group of expatriates and became known for dreadful acting, appalling plots and terrible ratings. Each of the 156 episodes did nothing to suggest that progressing beyond the pilot was a sensible use of the television licence fee. Writing these articles has helped me order my thoughts and get things into perspective. They’ve given me a voice at a time when my confidence and vocal volume have faltered in equal measure and have hopefully along the way been a readable account of what it’s like living with Parkinson’s. So much of this life though is not just about knowing what to say and when to say it, but unlike the BBC chiefs who, neglecting their French history, allowed the second and subsequent episodes of that Spanish nonsense to reach our screens, it’s also about knowing when to stop. As I struggled to put two sentences together this month it occurred that I might have reached that point in my writing.

So, I thought maybe I should pull the pen on this entire endeavour. Call last orders and be done with it. Then, on a plane to South Africa I watched a film about another war time figure’s “Darkest Hour” and was reminded that one must “never, never, never give up.” I suddenly realised that while the Frenchie may have been right for El Dorado, he was wrong for me. Genius isn’t about knowing when to stop. It’s about sticking with it when it would be easier to quit. It’s about climbing that hill when the funicular has broken rather than sitting on your arse, eating cake and bemoaning the woeful state of South African maintenance. That’s the mark of true genius. It’s even better if you remember to take the cake with you!

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What’s On Green Lane School Outdoor Cinema night on 13th September We will be screening Back to the Future movie, doors open at 7 pm, the movie will start at 8 pm. Bring something to sit on. Free Range Cooks will cater the event with gourmet hotdogs and nachos, we will have fresh popcorn and bar You can pay in advance through PayPal: greenlanefriends@gmail.com £10 per person or £12 at the door (limited availability). Reserve your space now before it’s sold out! Green Lane Primary & Nursery School Green Ln, Worcester Park KT4 8AS Sat 14th September. Drama evening at Worcester Park Baptist Church. A fundraiser for our Hub Project. Curtains up at 7pm. Includes Lantern Youth Theatre with a performance of JC, plus a little murder mystery for you to solve. Icecream interval. Tickets £6. Contact hello@wpbc. org.uk

Heritage Open Days 13th -15th September The Parish Church of St. John the Baptist Church Road, Worcester Park St. John’s will be OPEN on the following days for National Heritage Open Days. Friday 13th - 11.00 am to 4.00pm Saturday 14th - 10.00 am to 5.00 pm Sunday 15th 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm Come and see this hidden ‘village’ gem in the middle of suburbia and within a Conservation Area. History boards will be on display in this ancient church telling the story of St. John’s and Old Malden from Iron Age to present time. There will also be local maps on show from 17th century onwards. Refreshments will be available. There will also be a Heritage Walk from St. Johns on Sunday 15th at 2.00pm. Heritage Open Days is your chance to visit free thousands of buildings and places across the UK which are usually closed to the public or charge admission. This year events take place from 13th to 22nd September celebrating 25 years. To find out what else is open go to www.heritageopendays. org.uk.

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Voice for Wildlife Twenty Seven Years Ago

by Carol Williams

1992. A book called ‘Save The Earth’ was published in paperback by Dorling Kindersley and I bought a copy from Friends of the Earth, of which organisation I had already been a member for many years. The foreword is written by the Prince of Wales, who, as most people probably know, manages his own estate organically. He says this: “At a time when it was not particularly fashionable to talk about environmental matters - when they were very much at the bottom of the list of most people’s priorities - I rather rashly found myself raising them in public. I then discovered I was considered mildly dotty, or, at worst, a relatively harmless crank for doing so! But I raised these issues because I had felt for some time that the developments we were seeing, and the warnings that were being advertised by certain scientists, were symptomatic of a form of industrial, technological and social progress being pursued without sufficient thought to the long term consequences of such progress”. Suppose people had not, in the early 1990s, thought Prince Charles was dotty and a relatively harmless crank? Suppose people had actually listened? And not just listened, acted? There are many contributors to this book, which, when I first bought it, I read from cover to cover, and it filled me with a kind of hope that, until then, I hadn’t really had. Here were some solutions to many of the problems we knew we faced back then, and I thought - naively, obviously, given what is now happening - that surely we would crack this, we had to, we couldn’t simply just drift on like we were, could we? It would be lunacy. The introduction to the book is provided by that veteran of wildlife conservation, Sir David Attenborough, who writes this: “In lowland Britain, the landscape is entirely a human creation. Before mankind started to grow crops here, the land was almost completely blanketed by trees - oak and ash, birch and hazel. Virtually none of that wildwood remains it is original state. The spinneys and woods that we might be tempted to regard as the remains of Old England’s tree cover were nearly all designed and planted by men, many within the last couple of centuries. They were created to provide a crop -wood

for hurdles and baskets, wattle and fencing and to give cover for the local foxes and introduced animals (such as pheasants) which sporting squires enjoyed hunting. The English downland, its short turf studded with tiny, brilliant flowers, the sky above echoing the trills of larks, are the consequences of centuries of grazing by sheep. If the sheep are removed, their character changes entirely within a few years. Even the broads of East Anglia, still haunted by bearded tits and bitterns, are not as primeval as they appear. Most are flooded pits dug by people taking peat for fuel during medieval times. And the most species rich environment of all, the English hedgerow, is, very obviously, entirely man’s creation and, therefore, ‘unnatural’.” Sir David wrote these paragraphs, before the book was first published in hardback, in 1991. Would he still talk about the ‘sky echoing the trills of skylarks’? In 2019? I doubt it, because of this, from the RSPB website: “In the UK, the population halved during the 1990s and is still declining. In the preferred habitat of farmland, skylarks declined by 75% between 1972 and 1996. The main cause of this decline is considered to be the widespread switch from spring to autumn sown cereals, which has resulted in a dramatic reduction in the number of chicks raised each year. Autumn sewn cereals are taller and denser throughout the season. Fewer birds nest there, and those that do are unable to raise as many broods as birds in spring-sown crops. Many nesting attempts are on or close to tramlines ( tractor tracks that are used to apply the many sprays to the crop), which makes the nests vulnerable to ground predators”. Jonathan Porritt, the editor of the book, who was at that time the Director of Friends of the Earth, titled his introductory chapter ‘ Is This The Last Chance?’ and his opening words were these: “The vision of progress that has driven the world economy since the Second World War has enriched many but impoverished the Earth, leaving us no more than a decade to put things right”. Well, here we are, 27 years later, having not only failed to ‘put things right’ but to have succeeded remarkably in making things immeasurably worse. Why didn’t we listen?

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In the 1990s, people like me were, like Prince Charles, a rarity. We were voices crying out to a world that was deaf. We were speaking a language few people seemed to understand. It was hard to be ‘environmentally friendly’ when nothing was really set up to help you do your best to ‘live lightly on the earth’. Twenty seven years after this book appeared, consciousness of the problems this planet faces has finally reached ‘the masses’, mostly through the internet and specifically because of social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. It is now possible to ‘speak to’ people who could not be reached very easily in the last decade of the 20th century. Facebook was created in 2004. The amazing girl, Greta Thunberg, now sailing across the Atlantic from Plymouth to New York in a zero emission yacht -rather than fly and create more emissions - was not yet born in 1992 - most likely her parents hadn’t even met back then. She accuses us all, the older generations, of letting her generation down. And she is right. We have. Badly. The majority of us failed to listen, failed to take notice and failed, miserably, to take the actions necessary to avoid what we are now facing in the first quarter of the 21st century. Many people are still, even now, failing to do their bit, to the best of their own knowledge. Some are even denying a problem exists - I don’t know what to say to such selfishness. In the past few years, an absence of wasps has been, to me, alarming. They may not be most people’s favourite insect, but anyone with sense will understand that the disappearance of a once ubiquitous, common enough to be a Summer plague insect species, has to set alarm bells ringing. When insects vanish, a lot goes down with them - have we not realised this yet?

would also have opened up these spaces, letting in light where small flowers could then spring up. Sheep grazing in some parts of the world, such as Australia, has done immense damage to the ecosystem - sheep, cows and horses were taken there by white settlers - they are invasive species and they are not beneficial in any way to the natural ecology of that continent - in fact they are an unmitigated disaster. The British Trust for Ornithology had this to say about sheep grazing in Wales, at a workshop a friend of mine attended a little while ago - that the large concentrations of sheep now being grazed on Welsh hillsides is causing an insect and bird collapse. The reason is that, with so many animals crowded together, there is the ever present threat of disease, so the animals are regularly administered a de-worming medication. Large concentrations of this stuff are, therefore, coming out in their dung and urine, and this is killing the soil bacteria and small invertebrates - a problem which goes right up the food chain via insects to the birds. Conservation grazing is, of course a common practice now, for the Wildlife Trusts. What we do not need is factory farms, with their enormous emissions and polluting effluent, or large herds of ruminants souring the land. As Sir David said, we cannot return, in England, to the wildwood, but, 27 years on from when he wrote his piece for ‘Save The Earth’ we are losing so much forest still, in a time when many scientists are telling us we need to keep what we still have and plant over a trillion more trees!

The main threats to bees over the past decade have been: habitat loss and fragmentation, diseases and pests, invasive plant species, pesticides and climate change. Insects such as hoverflies and wasps, and some other fly species, are also pollinators - in addition, wasps are excellent predatory insects, so ought to be the crop farmer’s friend, reducing the need for insecticide sprays.

Here, prophetically, is Peter Raven, in his piece in the book ( 1991).

Sir David mentioned sheep grazing in the piece I quoted from him. It is true that the meadows that many of us regret losing and which were once rich with wild flowers and an amazing variety of insects and birds ( before mechanisation and the widespread use of pesticides on monoculture crops) were created by grazing animals - cows as well as sheep. In the past there would have been glades, created by deer, wild sheep and goats, horses and animals like the aurochs ( a species of wild cattle) who moved through the forests, grazing and browsing leaves. Storms that felled trees

What then, can we do? If governments won’t legislate to protect the planet - save the earth and us - from the worst effects of our ‘progress’ - then we must do it ourselves. We must live differently. Daunting - yes. Impossible? No.

“The sad fact is that up to a quarter of the species on earth may be lost in the course of the next three decades - within the lives of the majority of us alive today”

It is 2019 - things are getting scary. Come on! We can do better.

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

Vibrant Ukulele Club meets 7.30 – 9.30pm 1st and 3rd Mondays at The Station pub, Stoneleigh and 2nd and 4th Mondays at Christ Church with St Philip, WP. Beginners and players all welcome. The club is aimed at adults learning to play the ukulele and singing a number of well-known songs in a fun and friendly atmosphere. Music is provided and also tuition for beginners. Sessions are FREE with a small donation towards music and refreshments. Contact Steve 07795 085600

New Malden Rotary Club Malden Golf Club,Traps Lane Monday evenings 6.15 for 6.45pm Worcester Park Civil Service Retirement Fellowship Group first Monday of the month at 2pm and finishing by 4pm. If the first Monday falls on a Bank Holiday the meeting takes place on the second Monday. Old Malden Scout Hall, 411 Malden Road, KT4 7NY. All retired civil servants and friends are welcome to attend and if you are interested in listening to one of our speakers please contact John Wright on 020 8337 8965 or johnandglenisw@gmail.com

mailto:johnandglenisw@gmail.com 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 Doors open 7pm for 7:30pm start.(Visitors £7) Visitors & new members are always welcome to our concerts.

Mem Sec: linda@dunnz,net

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. Sue Hostler on 020 8337 3756

Music Lovers Wanted! - for “In the Mix” Singing Group. at Wesley Hall, Christchurch with St. Philip Church, Ruskin Drive, Worcester Park. Every Tuesday 1.30pm - 3.30pm. A weekly sing- along and social with pro singer/vocal coach Sheila Daniels and pianist. New songs every week, from the 1920s through to the 1970s, covering all genres. £6.50 on the door plus tea/ coffee and home-made cakes. No booking required.

020 8330 5795, or visit www.bansteadorganclub.co.uk

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*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 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 The Broadway Sequence Dancing Raeburn Hall, Tolworth from 8 to 1015pm. Those who have learnt ballroom dancing should have little difficulty in mastering sequence. No charge for the first ‘taster’ and then it’s just £5 per night. www.broadwaysequencedance.co.uk 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 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. Carol on 020 8337 2452 St James Players If you enjoy acting do come or help backstage. Monday and Wednesdays 8pm New members welcome. St James Church Hall, Bodley Road New Malden.

Tuesdays

Elmcroft Tuesday Badminton Club Fancy a friendly game of badminton? Please come along to the Tuesday evening badminton club at The Colin Peel Hall, Elmcroft Community Centre, 570 London Road, North Cheam, Surrey SM3 9AB. Try for free, no need to pay for first visit. If you are interested please contact Kwok on 07773085139 or email elmcroftbdmntn@gmail.com.

Sheila 07868 039 514 or visit www.thesugarband.co.uk/In_the_Mix

Vegan Group - monthly bring and share buffet,. every second Tuesday. 7.30pm until 9.30 in Room 1,Christchurch with St Philip, corner of Ruskin Drive, WP. For vegans and anyone interested in learning more about veganism. Conquest Art Group inspires people living with disability or long term health issue to discover their creative energy and build self-confidence through art. Our art group meets every Tuesday at St Mary’s Cuddington, The Avenue, Worcester Park, KT4 7HL

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from 1:30 to 3:30pm. Anyone over 18 is welcome, all art materials and refreshments are provided. If you would like to come along and give us a try, please contact Carole on 020 8786 8534.

The Worcester Park Dramatic Society is a local 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. membership secretary, Trevor Payne on 07540 084430.

“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. Brian on 020 8224 6675 or Rowena 07837 941298

NHS Retirement Fellowship 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 Royal British Legion, Hollyfield Road, Surbiton, KT5 AL. We have speakers, activities, coffee & chat.Other outings & activities are also arranged during the month. Lorna on 020 8337 4121

Wednesdays

Talking of trains is steaming again! The regular weekly meetings of Trains resume on Wednesday 18th September at 7pm in the Library Hall of Surbiton Library. The programme has a wide variety of topics as diverse as the Railways of Derbyshire area and rail preservation in France! We also welcome a senior Rail Freight manager for an overview of freight on Britain’s railways from the 19th to the 21st century. The first meeting is free and then it is just £50 covering all of the 20 meetings. www.talkingoftrains.co.uk 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 ! Jo Hamilton on 020 8786 3444. The Probus Club of Ewell 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,

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usually at Banstead Golf Club for a Lunch followed by a Speaker. Anyone wishing to know more about us or wanting to make contact can do so through our website www. ewellprobus.co.uk or by email to secretary@ewellprobus.co.uk. Talking Of Trains In Surbiton Programme of talks which take place locally at the Surbiton Library Hall each Wednesday evening throughout the winter months. The first meeting is free; the fee for the complete year is just £50. www.talking of trains.co.uk

Free Badminton taster session Come and enjoy playing BADMINTON with us! Wednesdays 7:45pm to 9:15pm at Stoneleigh Methodist Church, Stoneleigh Crescent, KT19 0RT Interested? Please contact Will Ward: willjward@gmail, 020 8393 9779 or 07874 896211 or just turn up on the night. N.B. Spare racquets available - if requested beforehand.

Thursdays

The Malden and Coombe Townswomen’s Guild welcome new members. We meet at 10am on the third Thursday of the month at the United Reformed Church hall in New Malden. We are a friendly group of women of all ages and back-grounds. We have interesting speakers from various organisations; outings, clubs, bring and buy sales and competitions. We are currently offering a first visit free of charge. 020 8337 7423 Tunes’n’Tea Come and enjoy an afternoon of live music, tea, coffee, cakes and conversation. Every month, a selection of Rock, Pop, Jazz, Country, Folk and Standards – great tunes, old and new for you to enjoy and join in with if you wish. There’s a live band and singers making a fun afternoon. Feel free to dance if the music moves you! The sessions take place on the 2nd Thursday of each month. February 14th, March 14th, April 11th, May 9th, June 13th 1.30pm3.30pm St John’s Church Hall, Station Approach, Stoneleigh, KT19 0QZ (next to Stoneleigh Station, West Side) Entrance: £3.00 All Welcome! Thursdays 1.30pm and finishing at 3.30. Group Singing Lessons -“Discover the high level of well being, strength and confidence which can be achieved when you learn to sing without effort.” .Weekly small group classes. Each session focuses on gentle physical and vocal exercises, breathing technique and song practice with individual advice and feedback. Call 07868 039 514 or visit www. skylarkvocal.co.uk for more info. Sessions Mondays at 11.30am and Thursdays at 7.30pm at Christchurch with St. Philips, Worcester Park. Suitable for beginners and confident singers. Ewell Badminton Club Meet every Thursday 9.30 -

11.30 am in hall in Welbeck Close, Ewell, KT17 2 BJ ( near Honda Garage, Ewell Bypass ). We have use of 3 courts, and are a very friendly group of players. New players would be most welcome.

Elizabeth on 0208 393 3355 or e-mail libbymuscutt@ yahoo.co.uk

St. John’s Hall is open between 2.00 and 4.00pm for Tea And Chat. If you are on your own please feel free to drop in for a free cup of tea and some company. 411 Malden Road (between Worcester Park station and The Plough). 213 Bus stops nearby. Sutton Mariners Sailing Club A local offshore sailing club founded in 1988 that meets at 8pm every Thursday evening at the Borough Sports Ground, home of Sutton United FC, Gander Green Lane, SM1 2EY. We are a small and friendly club of about 60 members and have about a dozen boat owners amongst us providing crewing opportunities during the summer months as well as enjoying meetings listening to interesting speakers and social nights. If you would like to get afloat come along and meet us – we’re sure you will enjoy the experience. www.suttonmariners.org.uk

East Surrey Family History Society For those who are interested in finding out how to investigate their family history the Sutton Branch of

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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. March 2 Miss Anne Carter How life changed forever in 1914 April 6 Ian Waller: Village Crafts Finding out about the records of those who worked in rural industry. www.esfhs.org.uk Kingston Phoenix Road Club is a cycling club with members in Worcester Park, New Malden, Epsom and Ewell. The club was founded in 1936 and currently has a membership of 85. New members are welcome to join us at the car park in Horton Country Park on Saturdays at 10am for either a road ride or an off-road ride. Our rides are usually between 20 and 35 miles and always include a cake stop before returning by 1pm. kingstonphoenixrc@gmail.com or see our website at kprc. org.uk.

Malden Emergency First Aid Society (Mefas) Members meet each Thursday evening at 7.30pm for First Aid training. New members required. Everyone welcome. Hall available for hire. Christine 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. SM3 9DW 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. Church office 0208 330 1755 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

Supporting life’s journeys with local heartfelt homecare

From one hour a week to full-time live-in care, our local • Bespoke and heartfelt award- winning care services are completely bespoke to help care in your own home you or your loved one live independently at home. • Peace of mind for you

and your loved ones • Trusted for over 20 years • Local to Worcester Park and New Malden

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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. SCILL 020 8770 4065 Sutton Vision 020 8409 7166 Christ Church with St Philip 020 8330 7630

New Malden Women’s Institute Christ Church New Malden, 2nd Thurs of each month at 7.30pm Barbara 0208 546 1495 or twocavs@googlemail.com

Fridays

Quest a meeting place 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. Christchurch with St. Philip, Ruskin Drive, Worcester Park. We meet the 2nd and 4th Fridays in the month from 12.45 to 4p.m June Day, Club Secretary, on 02083301220

RSPB Epsom & Ewell Local group 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 their enthusiasm on a variety of natural history subjects. We also have several birding outings throughout the year which is arranged to suit all ages. There is a small charge for non-members of the RSPB. rspb.org.uk/ groups/epsom.

The Association of Surrey Bookbinders - we meet on Friday mornings in the Scout Hut in Dell Lane, StoneleighRoger@gmathews.co.uk 020 8330 2306 Bridge Club A friendly club for people who have just learned to play or are looking to improve their bidding and play in an informal atmosphere which promotes learning and development. We meet every Friday in the upstairs meeting room at the Worcester Park Library, Stone Place. from 2 - 4 pm. carlaplatten@gmail.com

Sunday

North Cheam badminton club meet every Sunday at the Elmcroft Community Hall North Cheam. We are a small mixed club looking for new members of reasonable club standard especially ladies. Contact Pat Odonnell on 02083938895.

General

Auriol Bowling Club Auriol Park, Salisbury Road, Worcester Park. It is a mixed club of around 45 men and 25 women, who play outdoors from April to Sept with a busy fixture list of league and friendly matches against other clubs, as well as internal club competitions. Janet Kentish 020 8873 7006 www.auriolbowlingclub.com. Cuddington Bowling Club 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. Secretary Mike Ridley 020 8715 8326 Treasurer Mark Broughton 020 8337 9699 Social Dancing with Glitters at Bourne Hall, Spring Street, Ewell Village. 8.30 - 11 pm. Over 18s. Entrance fee £8. All standards of dancing. 6th and 20th of September. National Trust - Epsom, Ewell and District Supporters Group Formed 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, Manor Park, Malden Road. New members will be made very welcome. Roll ups, league matches, internal and external competitions; we offer bowling for all levels of interest and ability. Men’s Secretary Gerald 020 8949 4623 or Ladies Secretary 020 8337 5472

Mobil FOOT Care (Toe Nail cutting service) • Therapeutic treatment for your feet

• Soak

£25

• Remove hard skin and corn • Cut and shape your toe nails • Cream and aromatherapy oils are massaged into you feet Please contact Anna on: 07942 247881 High Professional trained with DBS certificate

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Cuddington Community Nursery

15 & *30 Hour FREE Nursery Places Available *for eligible families

Wrap around care available Superb outside space Engaging, play-based provision

Tel: 0208 716 2677 Email: Info@Cuddington.thpt.org.uk www.cuddington-primary.org Twitter: @CuddingtonCPS

A safe, happy and stimulating envi-

A rich range of opportunities for your child to learn, develop, play, explore and create Providing the best possible foundations for your child’s personal and educational future

Rented accommodation for independent living “Dedicated in supported shelted to making the housing lives of older people Charity No. 204444 þ No worries about home maintenance costs & bills þ En-suite rooms þ Home cooked meals every day þ Community alarm system þ Short term accommodation also available

■

easier and more fulfilling” at Wendover House, Ewell

Why not visit us to find out more? info@abbeyfieldwell.co.uk ■ 020 8393 0881 ■ www.abbeyfield.com/ewell To advertise email jenny@maldenmedia.co.uk or call 020 8336 2915

Gardening Going Green by Pippa Greenwood With the ground still warm from the summer sun and moisture levels in the soil increasing, September is the perfect time to create a new lawn. Using grass seed is cheaper than buying turf, plus you can choose a suitable grass mixture and the lawn can be shaped without having to cut pieces of turf. First, examine the site and calculate the total area to be seeded, then study the grass seed packs in your local garden centre. Your choice will be between various grades of utility lawn (usually containing some rye grass for toughness), finer lawns that need more care and mixtures suitable for partial shade. It will be about three weeks before the seedlings emerge and then about ten weeks before the lawn can be cut, so bear this in mind when choosing your start time. Remove all weeds (including roots), old grass and debris. Perennial weeds should be dug out or killed off with weedkiller – those containing glyphosate allow grass seed to be sown straight away. Dig over and examine the area – ideally you want a light, free-draining loam that does not become too dry in summer, or waterlogged or compacted in winter. Add horticultural sand and some bulky organic matter to heavy soil to improve drainage, and dig plenty of well-rotted organic matter into light soil for better moisture retention. Rake the soil repeatedly to achieve a level surface free from large stones, plant remains or other debris. Gauge the level by eye or use a system of pegs and a spirit level if necessary. Spread some granular general fertilizer evenly over the prepared area. Firm by treading it over evenly in flat-soled shoes or boots, paying particular attention to the edges – this prevents subsidence later.

conditions so avoid hot, dry weather and wait until just before rain is forecast. Using pack directions, weigh out the quantity of grass seed needed for one square metre. Mark the corners of a one metre square plot and distribute the seed evenly over it – this shows you how correctly sown seed should look, thus acting as a guide for sowing the remainder. Sowing too thinly encourages weeds; sowing too thickly means poorquality seedlings that are less likely to thrive. For most gardens hand sowing is perfect; for larger lawns borrowing or hiring a machine may be worthwhile. Sow the entire area with the lawn seed and lightly rake over a thin layer of soil to partially incorporate the seed into the soil. Water regularly with a fine sprinkler or watering can. Use twigs or cane with taut cotton tied between them, or netting stretched taut, to deter birds. Visit Pippa’s website www.pippagreenwood.com and you’ll find Pippa’s September-dispatch vegetable plant collection along with other gardening items: Nemaslug, atylish cloches, practical and pretty plant supports, the fantastic SpeedHoe, gardening tools, planters, Grower Frames, signed books and more! Or why not book Pippa for a gardening talk? Pippa for a gardening talk at your gardening club?

Lawn seed germinates best in warm, moist

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Puzzle Time answers on page 38

not so easy

fairly easy

Pictograms 3 words

EE E AS Π

ELEGANT CURTAINS SOFT FURNISHING SPECIALIST Made-to-measure curtains • Roman blinds • Black out blinds

3 words

• Roller blinds

13:13 13:13 07:07

3 words

FREE DESIGN SERVICE

• Pelmets & Upholstery

Choose from our wide selection of fabrics, including our range of children’s fabrics or we can make up from your own fabric. Tracks & poles supplied and ﬁtted.

IAUS

For a free estimate and appointment, please call Linda Jordan on

020 8337 7145 • 07957 177164 WWW.ELEGANTCURTAINS.INFO

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Codeword Each letter in this puzzle is represented by a different number between 1 and 26. The codes for three letters are shown. Once you have filled these throughout the grid you can start guessing words and reveal other letters. As you find the letters enter them in the box below.

Quick Quiz Cats and Dogs 1. The Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Cats was based on a collection of poems called Old Possum’s Book Of Practical Cats by which author? 2. What breed of dog has a name that means “badger dog” in German, as it was originally bred to hunt badgers and similar animals? 3. Which TV show featured a character called Salem Saberhagen, who was once a warlock, but was sentenced to spend 100 years as a cat as punishment for trying to take over the world? 4. Featuring a dog listening to a gramophone, what was the name of the painting by Francis Barraud that was abbreviated to give the name of the entertainment retail company HMV?

6. Born in 1979, which chart-topping singer took her stage name from the character played by Steve Buscemi in Reservoir Dogs? 7. Under what pen name did Theodor Seuss Geisel write the children’s novel The Cat In The Hat? 8. First appearing in a comic strip in 1929, which character went on a series of adventures with his fox terrier dog called Snowy? 9. Where do most cats have more claws?... on their front paws or their back paws? 10. With a name similar to Crufts, what is the name of the annual Kennel Club competition that allows crossbreed dogs of any parentage to compete?

5. What colour of eyes do Siamese cats have? To advertise email jenny@maldenmedia.co.uk or call 020 8336 2915

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.

Thursday

Carer and Toddler group for all families with twins and multiples. Come and meet other local families who understand all about having more than one of everything! We meet every Thursday at Worcester Park Baptist Church from 9.30- 11.30 am with toys, craft, songs, refreshments and stories during term time. Come along and join in - other pre-school siblings also welcome.

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+

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

SWIMMING LESSONS For Babies and Kids Beginners to Advanced

Daytime PreSchool Classes & Baby Water Conﬁdence You can also come for:

LADIES AQUA AEROBICS

We teach our swimming lessons in the water

Hook Aqua Centre 7 Hawkhurst Gardens, Hook, Chessington. KT9 1AH

Phone Cass on 02083977731 www.hookaquacentre.co.uk

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Solutions Quiz

CodeWord

1. T. S. Eliot 2. Dachshund 3. Sabrina The Teenage Witch 4. His Masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Voice 5. Blue 6. Pink (Buscemi played Mr Pink) 7. Dr. Seuss 8. Tintin 9. On their front paws (5 on each v 4 on each of their back paws) 10. Scruffts

Sudokus

Pictograms 1. Easy As Pie 2. Third Time Lucky 3. Silence Is Golden

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PRO-FIT

DOUBLE GLAZED WINDOWS DOORS conservatories l

WINDOW SYSTEMS LTD

Pro-fit Window Systems Ltd supply & install Double Glazed Windows, Doors and Conservatories We are an established family run business who focus on serving householders within the community. l l

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Able 2 Build & Sons Ltd

LOFT CONVERSION & EXTENSION SPECIALISTS • • • • • • • • • • • •

Loft Conversions Extensions Full Refurbishments Part Refurbishments Driveways & Patios Gas & Electrical Works Plumbing Carpentry Tiling Plastering Painting & Decorating Property Maintenance

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Constructing Your Future 40

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