Worcester Park Life September 2021

Worcester Park Life

KT4’s ONLY FREE Independent Community Magazine and Business Guide September 2021 Issue 150

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Welcome to YOUR 150th Worcester Park Life f

rom jenny@maldenmedia.co.uk

Well, this summer has felt more like being out on parole than the promised get-out-of-jailfree. The weather has been British (reliably unreliable, with just one week of somebody trotting out ‘bit warm for you?’) and going overseas was just too confusing for most of us to risk. If you were caught by the pingdemic, test and trace or worse, actually caught the virus, it was an immediate go to jail, do not collect £200. A lovely week with friends in Cloudy Kent for us Stuarts!

Still, I’m sure most of us managed at some point to catch up with friends and family without sticking to the distant waves and virtual hugs that social distancing mandated – we had a teenager let loose on the nightclub scene for the first time and finally got our first

positive Covid case. Teenager no2 is residing in a tent at the Reading Festival this weekend so it won’t be a massive shock if case no2 is just around the corner…

But – sanitised fingers crossed – let’s hope further incarceration is off the cards. I am just really grateful I’m still running my magazine business, mainly through the support of all you lovely readers for the advertisers, and look forward to be able to return to printing details of local clubs, events and news – so send them in! And if you’d like to find out more about advertising, just give me a call.

Remember, we deliver to most homes every second month but if it’s not delivered to you, you can read it on your phone, tablet or PC. Until next time, very best wishes,

& Since ‘08

Jenny Since ‘05

Deadline for our October editions is 20th September

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

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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 Shopping at Plough Green by David Rymill In March 2020 I featured some memories of the late Mary Ralph, who was born in 1936 and grew up in Fullbrooks Avenue (you can still find the article at https://issuu.com/maldenmedia/docs/maldens_ wpl_march_20). This month I am again focussing on Mary’s memories, this time her descriptions, mainly from the 1940s, of the shops at Plough Green, 352-384 Malden Road, opposite The Plough (now a Miller and Carter steakhouse).

Mary described them working from left to right, beginning near the railway bridge. No 356 was ‘a ladies’ hairdresser’s [it is listed in the name of Miss Edith Pannell in a 1934 directory and as Glyn Thomas or G A Thomas by 1938 and at least until 1966]. This was not open plan as nowadays but ladies were attended to from start to finish in individual cubicles.’

At 358 was a ‘fishmonger’s, later selling fried fish and chips, etc, as well. The shop would be opened out in business hours and the fish for sale would be placed

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on a large marble slab supported by brick tiled posts.’

This was listed in 1948 as Whittard’s (presumably linked with Whittards’ greengrocer’s and grocer’s shops at 366 and 368) and as R & M Parkin in 1966.

No. 360 was ‘Rendell’s the butcher’s with whom my mother was registered during and after the Second World War. Not owning a fridge until at least the

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mid-1950s, she would visit mid-week and select and pay at the cash desk for the meat allowed for the weekend. Mr Rendell or an assistant would wrap it up and store it, ticketed with Mum’s number, 128, in the cold store which seemed to take up much of the back of the shop. On Saturday mornings I would be sent to wait in the queue, and when my turn came, say “128, please”, and be fetched the meat to bring home.

When circumstances allowed, from horizontal steel railings fitted to the shop walls were hung large slabs of meat, and at Christmas time, as many turkeys, chickens and other poultry as could be squeezed into the spaces. At that time, chicken was a luxury.’

Next door, at 362, Victoria Wine Ltd, ‘I think the shop fittings were rather dark, with displays of merchandise on shelves behind the assistants’, whilst at 364, Sidney Brown’s chemist’s shop, ‘most of the merchandise, whether medicines prescribed by a doctor or branded ones, cosmetics or other items,

was kept in tall glassfronted cupboards and sets of drawers made of fairly light-coloured wood; the effect was quite cheerful, and in the shop windows were two large, decorative jars.’ Now Plough Green Pharmacy, this is one of the few shops that Mary remembered which continues in the same line of business.

At 370, on the corner of Columbia Avenue during Mary’s childhood (another shop has now been added closer to the junction) was ‘Job’s, later Express Dairies.

The shop sold the usual milk, butter cheese and other dairy goods when available, plus tinned goods, and the milk distribution premises were at the back [facing Columbia Avenue; later used by Proctor Nets and redeveloped in about 2012]. The roundsmen’s floats were kept there– they were electric by my time; I do not remember any horses.’

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The first shop to the right of Columbia Avenue, 372, was a ‘tobacconist and sweet shop, Clarke’s.

Depending on their type, sweets were kept in large glass jars or tins – and these latter when empty made good cake tins – or in packets. One chose the sweets wanted and the appropriate container would be lifted off the shelf, and the amount weighed.’ Next door, at 374, Mary recalled, ‘In my time Birdsall’s the baker’s was here [Clifford Birdsall was listed at no.

382 in 1938, but was indeed at 374 by the time the 1948 directory was produced, perhaps having moved because of bomb damage further along the parade].

We bought bread there regularly and sometimes fruit buns, crumpets and occasionally cakes. To help in the making of Christmas puddings, Mum would ask the assistants to save breadcrumbs for her. Hot Cross buns were only ever baked for Good Friday and the shop was only open, early, for a couple of hours, so if anyone wanted them, one had to look smartish!’ In case this paragraph has made anyone hungry, this is another shop that continues in the same type of business, now called Plough Bakery.

which it was run for a time by McColls]. As a result of the Doodlebug raid in 1944, devastation was considerable, but temporary structures were soon erected, trading resumed, and after permanent rebuilding there was a greengrocer’s, open to the street (in business hours), in one area; a grocer’s where delicatessen and dairy items were served from the counter by assistants but tinned goods and bread were on open shelves – a nod to the coming supermarket arrangement; in another area was a butcher’s. One paid at a cash desk and ‘divi’ [dividend] tokens of the appropriate amount were issued.’

‘Marion the draper [at 376, run by Henry Carr] sold the usual haberdashery – cotton reels, elastic, hooks and eyes, press studs, etc, and lingerie, some knitting wool, needles and patterns. Items were kept in glassfronted cupboards and drawers, and the woodwork of the furnishings was quite light and cheerful.’ 378 was ‘an ironmonger’s – we called it The Oil Shop [it was listed as W V Aldridge, oil and colour man, in 1938, and as Short and Bower, oilmen, in 1948]. One could take an empty glass container and have this filled with vinegar from a larger container. The shop was crammed with so many different items, large and small, including individual screws – one did not need to buy a packet of 20 if one wanted only three.’

Next door was ‘the Post Office, also a newsagent’s, stationer’s and fancy goods shop.’ The Post Office was listed here with the name of Herbert Moore in 1938; Leonard Trimmer was in charge by the early post-war years, when it was apparently located at no. 354, probably because of bomb damage, and he was still listed in the 1966 directory when it was back at 380.

The Post Office and newsagent’s, latterly Martin’s, remained here until recent years. Outside was, until recently, a telephone kiosk; Mary recalled using its predecessor ‘while practising for my Brownie test, “know how to use a telephone”: I grew to know the mysteries of “Press Button A” and” Press Button B”.’

Mary was a lifelong churchgoer and I’m sure she would have wanted me to mention that St John the Baptist Parish Church, Church Road, Old Malden, which she attended as a child, plans to open as usual under the nationwide Heritage Open Days scheme in September (subject to national and local guidelines at the time): Friday 10th Sept, 11am - 4pm; Saturday 11th, 10am - 5pm; Sunday 12th, 2pm - 5pm; and Monday 13th, 11am - 4pm.

384, on the corner of Idmiston Road, was the premises of ‘the Royal Arsenal Co-operative Society [it remained the Co-op until about 2017 after

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‘All in all’, Mary commented, ‘Plough Green was a useful collection of local small shops, and the shopkeepers did their best to oblige. They had their struggles during the war and austerity period, coping cheerfully and courteously with rationing and other Government directives’. This seems topical once again today, and the shops offer today’s residents supplies and services ranging from groceries and restaurants to dentistry, hair care, printing and tiles.

Entry is free and there is no need to book. Much of the building is accessible to wheelchair users; refreshments and WCs (including accessible) are available; and there is a small car parking area in the lane leading from Church Road to the church. In addition to visiting the church, visitors will be able to see a timeline of history boards tracing the story of this part of Malden back to Roman and Iron Age times.

Our illustrations show some of the shops, including the Express Dairy on the corner of Columbia Avenue (with thanks to Simon Norman); and St John’s from the north-west, long before the building of the church hall on this side.

Like many people in Cuddington, I was very shocked to hear the sad news of the death of Councillor Robert Foote on 31st July, in an accident at Brands Hatch where he was acting as a volunteer marshal.

He had served as a Councillor for Cuddington Ward

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since 2003, and was Mayor of Epsom and Ewell in 20142015. A book of condolence has been opened and is currently in St Mary’s Church, Cuddington, at the top of The Avenue; it is in the chapel in the south-east (far right) corner of the church. All are welcome to sign it when the church is open (currently 10am – 12 noon on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays). There is also an online condolence book at robertfoote.muchloved.com. rymilldavid@outlook.com 01962 868976.

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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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This is such an easy recipe. Everything is simply placed in a roasting dish and slow-cooked in the oven, creating an amazing spicy lemony flavour. Serve leftovers for lunch the following day cold with salad.

SERVES: 6 Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 2 hours 30 minutes Ingredients • 1 tbsp smoked paprika • 1 tsp sumac • 3 tbsp olive oil • 1 organic chicken, jointed • 1 bulb of garlic (separated into unpeeled cloves) • Sprig of thyme • 2 unwaxed lemons, cut into quarters • 150 ml chicken stock • Black pepper • 1 x 400g can artichoke hearts

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1. Pre-heat the oven to 160°C/150°C fan/gas mark 3.

2. Mix together the paprika, sumac and olive oil. Put the chicken pieces into a roasting tin and add the garlic cloves, thyme and lemon quarters. Pour over the paprika oil and rub all over the chicken pieces.

3. Drizzle over the stock and season with black pepper.

Cover the dish with foil and cook in the oven for 2 hours.

4. Remove the foil from the roasting tin, add the artichoke hearts and turn the oven up to 200°C/180°C fan/gas mark 6. Cook for another 30 minutes or until the chicken is golden.

Nutrition per serving: 387kcal, fat 27.8g (of which saturates 7g), carbohydrate 1.4g (of which sugars 0.6g), protein 33.2g.

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Could you be our next Glynne?

Changing professions was the best thing I ever did. I joined Home Instead in June 2018.

After my training I was introduced to my first client, whom I still visit. She is such an interesting person and has done so much in her 90 years.

In September 2018, I met another client. The first time I met Jack I was very impressed. I could not believe this man was 100! This was the start of an amazing friendship and journey that has taught me so much about myself and what a difference I can make in someone else’s life.

Through our time together, Jack has become a valued friend and a big part of my life. It is a great joy for me to see what a difference I have made and how appreciative he is. I help Jack with lots of his daily needs including help with his showering and dressing, to making him meals or simply reheating the heating pad to ease his back pain or accompanying him to his various appointments.

Jack keeps on saying how lucky he is that I came into his life, but it is me who is the lucky one.

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Why Craft?

Over the last 18 months it has become obvious that people who have hobbies have coped better with the unprecedented circumstances we have found ourselves in.

you can try the more precise methodology of sewing and quilting.

How about losing yourself in Mosaics or dabbling in card making?

Hobbies come in many forms from gardening to baking, running to abseiling- but craft seems to be the biggest growing trend.

So why craft?

The craft world encompasses a huge array of skills so there really is something for everyone -people often claim to ‘not be creative’, often because they were bad at ‘art’ at school, but with such a wide variety of crafts and the ability to enjoy crafting from your own home there has been a new surge in interest.

You can let go and get messy exploring painting and sculpture, or if you are more mathematical

There is definitely a craft to suit each personality!

The satisfaction of creating something is priceless and learning a new skill, but another rarely mentioned part of crafting is giving.

Hobby crafters nearly always give their work to friends and family as gifts. It adds another level of enjoyment both to the making and the satisfaction of finishing something when it is for someone you love.

So why not give a crafts a go yourself, learn a new skill and create some beautiful gifts while you’re at it!

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Music Discovery Apps

Soundhound Not to be confused with Soundcloud (right), Soundhound enables you to find out what’s playing in the public place you’re in, and in some cases it can even recognise songs if you hum or sing the tune. Once recognised it can add the song to your Apple Music or Spotify playlists.

Soundcloud Soundcloud is used by lots of up-and-coming artists and some household names too: bands such as Chvrches were discovered in part thanks to their Soundcloud streams. It’s a great way to hear music that isn’t getting played by more mainstream services.

Last.fm Last.fm is available as an app for your computer, smartphone or tablet and you can connect it to music services such as Spotify, TIDAL and Deezer. It shares what you’ve been listening to and finds music it thinks you’ll like based on what other people with similar tastes have been listening to.

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At the end of the peak growing season, September days can be cool but equally can be summer-warm. Meals and desserts will be chosen according to the weather, and the seasonal fruit and vegetables available are ideal for whatever you cook at this time.

Cauliflower The wonderfully versatile cauliflower is particularly receptive to flavours like cumin, turmeric, chilli and ginger, meaning it works really well with many dishes from the Indian subcontinent. It also pairs famously with cheese and is good with a roast dinner, which might be back on the menu as the weather cools. Tip: if you are trying to cut down on carbs, blitz the florets in a food processor to make ‘cauli rice’, a surprisingly effective substitute.

Plums Plums taste ranges from tart to sweet. The sour varieties are best cooked and are excellent in a tart on their own, but in a crumble with the cominginto-season Bramley, you can’t go wrong. The sweet varieties make a tasty snack, although the flesh sticks to the stone meaning getting those last bits might leave you needing a toothpick!

Butternut Squash Butternut squash came into season back in August and is plentiful now. If September sees curries and stews back on your meal plans, then think about including some squash in these recipes. Just don’t overcook it or it will – literally – squash into a mush.

Sweetcorn Although sweetcorn does still deserve its classification as a vegetable (but it is also a grain and a fruit), it’s more starchy than many, making it higher in calories and carbohydrate. Still, corn provides fibre and nutrients like vitamin C, thiamine, folate, and potassium.

Leeks In many recipes, you can use leeks in place of onions for a slightly sweeter, milder onion flavour. Many people only use the white and very light green parts of leeks, but the dark green parts are fine in broths and soups. Finely sliced and then sautéed, leeks are a delicious light vegetable for late summer eating.

Apples The famous Bramley cooking apple is just coming into season in September. The very best apple for crumbles, pies, juice and for delicious apple sauce as an accompaniment to roast pork.

Figs Fragrant figs have a rich jammy taste and a delicate, chewy surface. Turkish figs are unmistakable in appearance, with a gloomy purple-earthy coloured skin and a dynamic red inside. Figs don’t mature after picking, so bear this in mind when selecting your produce. Heat into a fig custard tart for a striking harvest-time dessert, or finely cut into a light goat’s curd, fig and beetroot side dish.

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0208 394 2555

Estate Agents and Valuers

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PLANNING TO SELL

PLANNING FOR AUTUMN

Twenty years ago August 2001 was exceptionally busy, in fact it was our most active month of that year by some margin, and for no apparent reason. Sometimes the market takes us by surprise but two decades later we have just completed an August that was very much in line with normal trends, though it has seemed perhaps quieter than usual. Of course, the previous 7 months of this year have been almost frenzied so the contrast is quite sharp, but we are also aware of the huge sigh of relief that we can go on holiday, see friends and family, and enjoy life a little at last. We talk to many people daily, and it has been a pleasure to share in the excitement and delight that some newfound freedom has brought and feel for those still unable to reconnect hoping they can soon.

After a rather grey month an Indian summer would be very welcome, fingers crossed but, in case of disappointment, looking further forward to the turn of the seasons might be sensible as Autumn has new challenges for property maintenance that are worth anticipating. October storms can make short work of wobbly fences or loose roof slates, causing costly damage in the process, while a check and mend can be both quick and cheap. As usual we will be looking at all our managed property to try and prevent winter damage and encouraging timely storage of trampolines and gazebos before they are relocated by any strong winds!

We are now just over a year into the post lock-down era and much has changed in people’s behaviour and expectations. One of the newer trends we have observed is that people are planning ahead more than they used to. Before Covid-19 things were often spontaneous but we are now more used to having to book even mundane things like delivery slots! This need to think forwards, as well as a change of lifestyle emphasis and requirements, has had an interesting consequence for us. We have always had an excellent knowledge of the homes that are likely to come onto the market over the coming months, but we have noticed that our list of such properties is growing, and timings are more confident than they were in the pre-pandemic era.

Whilst the number of properties coming to market in the last couple of months has tailed off there has been a very constant flow of future sellers in the process of making their homes ready to market, so we are expecting an active Autumn.

Once temperatures start to fall the issue inside the home is keeping it warm and dry.

Central heating is an efficient essential, but always worth checking its ready to burst back to life when needed.

The recommended minimum range inside a home is 15 - 17ºC, including overnight. It’s a good idea to have the heating set so that it will fire up if the temperature drops below the threshold, which is rare for much of the year but often takes us by surprise in the Autumn and can be the first step into a cold, damp and mould cycle that is easily avoided.

Finally, looking further forward for landlords with existing long-term tenants, the minimum Energy Performance requirement on let property needs to be E as from 1st April 2023 even if the current tenants remain. It is also likely that the minimum requirement will increase further in 2025.

We are always here to help any landlord doing works to become more aware of current, and expected, compliance issues.

We can also help you consider lifestyle and fashion changes to make your property as attractive as possible in the rental market.

www.JacksonNoon.com To advertise email jenny@maldenmedia.co.uk or call 020 8336 2915

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Friday Night Cocktail Club A cocktail celebrating Autumn’s hedgerows The Blackberry Bramble by Ali Warner A few years ago The National Trust printed a booklet called 50 things to do before you are 11 and 3/4.

Alongside making a mud pie, climbing a tree and rolling down a big hill - is number 21 - wild blackberry picking.

I’m way past my twelfth birthday but I still love a forage (and rolling down a big hill if truth be told).

The teens and I recently spent a brilliant hour with Irish forager Dermott Hughes wandering round the grounds of Hillsborough Castle, nibbling on sorrel and nettle berries - they ate more greens in those 60 minutes than they did the entire holiday. And the same applies to fruit when the hedgerow team with these glossy jewels.

There are some great foraging talks and books out there. If you fancy dipping your toe Dermott’s book recommend was ‘Food for Free’ by Richard Mabley and Forage with Kids by Adele Nozedar is a great find too.

For me blackberry picking (and eating) is one of the joys of the coming of Autumn. So long salad days here come lazy afternoons of jammy crumbles and custard topped off with a few hours on the sofa reading the papers or enjoying a cheeky little nap.

And the good news is blackberries are great for Autumnal Friday night cocktail too. Who doesn’t love the gorgeous purple and syrupy sweetness of a bramble cocktail?

This is a relative newbie to the cocktail world and one of the good things to come out of the 1980s alongside leg-warmers and Duran Duran. It was created by Dick Bradsell who was crowned ‘The Cocktail King by the Observer newspaper for his services to gin. And just like the foragers among us he named it after his fond memories of scrabbling through hedgerows to pick the fruit in his childhood.

Here’s another fact about the famous Fred’s Club bartender is also known for his other famous cocktail creation - The Espresso Martini.

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The Bramble cocktail is usually served in short glass and this recipe from professional chef and former restaurant owner Sylvia Fontaine from her blog feastingathome.com is a gem.

Here’s what you need to make 2-3 drinks 60-70 grams of fresh blackberries 2 oz (or 60 mls) of dry gin (optional) 1 oz (or 30 mls) of blackberry liqueur (undiluted ribena can work as can jam heated til runny) 1 oz (or 30 mls) of maple syrup or agave 1.5 oz (or 45 mls) or fresh lemon juice Top up with ginger ale/ soda or tonic water (optional) fresh blackberries, mint leaves and lemon rind to garnish How to make you bramble 1: Put your fresh blackberries, gin, (blackberry liqeur if using) maple syrup and lemon juice into a cocktail shaker and muddle with a spoon until the blackberries start to break down and release their juice 2: Stain the liquid through a sieve to get rid of the seeds 3: Fill 2-3 glasses with some nice big chunks of ice, divide the blackberry gin mix between the glasses and top up with soda or ginger ale 4: All fresh blackberries and lemon zest and mint if you are feeling fancy 5: Sit back and enjoy This could be turned into a great mocktail too. Leave out the gin or liqueur and add your blackberry mix to lemonade, soda or ginger ale.

So there you have it, grab a container and get yourself out on a bramble hunt. The fresh air will do you good and the blackberry rewards will be a great start to the shorter evenings and may make the first weeks of back to school a lot less stressful.

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23/11/2020 12:29

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Low-maintenance gardening

by Caroline Knight

Ask anyone who looks after a garden if they would like a high-maintenance outdoor space and the answer will almost definitely be no. The requirement for most is to have a garden that is easy to look after. So how do you go about achieving this? If your own garden is a maintenance nightmare, then now is the perfect time to start improving the situation.

soil! It’s inevitable that nature will send something to infiltrate any little patch of bare ground. So, if you would rather choose your own variety of species to grow in your garden, rather than whatever a passing bird decides to eject, ensure you plant densely. While new plants are establishing, spread mulch onto any bare soil to stop weeds taking hold.

Keep it Simple The More the Merrier Start with simple things. Look around to see how potty Try not to plant just one of something, unless it’s a you have gone over pots - you really don’t want too specimen. Use several of the same species to create many. The content within pots and containers requires a swathe that can form part of a tapestry of plants regular watering by the head gardener and nutrients that knit together, thus crowding out any unwanted ' P U T Ylodgers.

O U RThere G AisRalways D E Nsomething M A I Nthat T Ewill N Agrow N CinE I N T H within the compost depletes within just a few weeks S Othat F Smight O Mfeel E O‘difficult’ NE W H Odark RE A shady LLY CARES and they require feeding. If there are annual plantsH inA N Dareas – that and pots, these will need changing as the seasons progress. corner where the bindweed always snakes up the Plants also require gentle snipping to keep them fence, for example. These places are often perfect - Tree surgery - One off Tidy looking neat and attractive and to encourage more for ferns, an underused plant that is ideal within a - Stump - Garden Maintenance flowers. If you have shrubs in pots, they are likely to low-maintenance garden. Plant a groupGrinding of the same Strimming and Weeding - Decking and need pruning as well as turning so that each side of species that areLawns suited to the -position and their lush the plant receives an equal amount of light. If all this is - Hedge green fronds with wonderful -textures willclearance delight you.

Garden Trimming making you feel exhausted, just keep a few very large - Path and Patio Washing - Landscaping containers for certain specimens and make them into a feature. If, however, you aren’t ready to abandon your potaholic habits, group them together so that they can create their own microclimate. Each pot will provide a bit of shade for another and the air around them will enjoy increased humidity.

No Mow ‘PUT YOUR GARDEN MAINTENANCE INTel: THE020 8330 7 Next, we come to the lawn, if there is one.info@cypressgardenservices.co.uk Allow the HANDS OF SOMEONE WHO REALLY CARES’ grass sward to grow a little longer. You don’t need to www.cypressgardenservices.co.uk Mobile: 07958 mow every week. Welcome weeds and wildflowers into - One off Tidy the lawn; it’s far better for wildlife and biodiversity than - Garden Maintenance a monoculture of grass. Your garden isn’t Hampton - Decking and Lawns Court and provided the lawn looks vaguely green, it - Hedge Trimming really doesn’t matter if there are daisies, dandelions, - Landscaping moss or most other self-seeded delights sparkling - Tree surgery amongst the grass. The gentle buzzing of bees is the reward you get for being more relaxed about your - Stump Grinding green carpet. Lawn edges can be defined by using - Strimming & Weeding some sort of edging system that will stop the grass - Garden clearance spreading into the flowerbeds. There are dozens of - Path & Patio Washing options, from rustic and durable Corten weathering THE ENANCE IN T N I A M N E ES' GARD steel through to rubber, plastic, wood and brick.

EALLY CAR 'PUT YOUR ONE WHO R SOME HANDS OF

Keep Weeds in the Dark Ask a gardener about a job that always needs doing and weeds will be high on the agenda. There’s a very simple way to stop weeds growing: cover up your

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Contact us on: - Tree surgery ding or 07958 727 272 Tel: 020 8330 7787 - Stump Grin Weeding - Strimming and ce - Garden clearan info@cypressgardenservices.co.uk shing Wa o - Path and Pati www.cypressgardenservices.co.uk

- One off Tidy nance - Garden Mainte ns - Decking and Law g min Trim ge - Hed - Landscaping

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Tel: 020 8330 7787 272 Mobile: 07958 727

Wildlife Workers Maybe you have a problem with aphids and leafnibbling pests, including slugs and snails? Before reaching for a chemical spray, try recruiting local wildlife to work on your behalf. Birds, frogs, toads, ladybirds and many different insects including beetles are ace at eating plant pests. Make sure you provide plenty of ground cover and shady nooks where creatures can hide. Think about positioning a bird table near plants that are prone to suffering from pests. Blue tits will enjoy a feast fit for a king once they find aphids.

Create a garden where everything is welcome and it should find a natural balance.

Malden’s

Shrubby Heroes Shrubs are generally the best low-maintenance plant of all. Replace annual planting schemes with shrub beds, but don’t inflict the hedge-cutter ‘blob treatment’ on them. The secret lies in choosing your plants wisely and thus not planting something that grows larger than the space available. You can allow them to grow into their natural form.

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Puzzle Time fairly easy

not so easy

Baby 1.

2.

3.

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According to the lyrics of the traditional lullaby Hush Little Baby, what is the first thing that “mama’s gonna buy you”?

Joe Wicks is well known for a series of cookbooks called Lean In 15. What similar title did he use for a 2020 book that advised on how to take a baby from breastfeeding, through first foods, to enjoying family mealtimes?

Before falling out to make way for adult teeth, most children develop a full set of how many baby teeth?

4.

Commonly known as “dummy” in the UK, what is the common name in the USA for an item that is used by a baby to suck on and consists of a teat, a mouth shield and a handle?

5.

What number one hit single with “baby” in the title was due to have a six-word title before two words were dropped as record company executives were worried that it might be seen to condone domestic violence?

6.

In which film did Arnold Swarzennegger famously say “Hasta la vista, baby”?

7.

Is a bush baby?... a) a primate; b) a marsupial; or c) a rodent?

8.

The song Ice Ice Baby by Vanilla Ice samples the bassline of which 1981 number one hit single?

9.

What name is given to a birth where the baby is born bottom first instead of head first?

10. Who played the “three men” in the 1987 film Three Men And A Baby?

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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.

LEWIS DICK LIMITED NEED TO MOVE HOUSE Speak to Tracey Cottam | tracey.cottam@lewis-dick.com NEED TO MAKE A WILL OR POWER OF ATTORNEY OR ADMINISTER AN ESTATE | Speak to James Winfield james.winfield@lewis-dick.com NEED HELP WITH YOUR BUSINESS Speak to Jonathan Owens jonathan.owens@lewis-dick.com NEED A DIVORCE, SEPARATION OR HELP WITH CONTACT Speak to Carol Stevens-Stratten carol.stevens-stratten@lewis-dick.com

WE ARE YOUR LOCAL LAW FIRM & PROVIDE A HIGH QUALITY SERVICE

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For more information or a no obligation quote ewell@lewis-dick.com or visit our website www.lewis-dick.com

Tel 020 8393 0055 | Fax 020 8393 3317 | 443 Kingston Rd, Ewell. Surrey, KT19 ODG To advertise email jenny@maldenmedia.co.uk or call 020 8336 2915

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Bored of baking fairy cakes? Help your kids’ cooking skills reach the next level with our easy recipes.

Top tips before you start This is a great time to start teaching your child about food hygiene and safety. Even toddlers can quickly learn that they need to wash their hands before cooking and not to touch the hob when it’s on.

Older children can learn how to use an oven glove and knife, why it’s important to clean surfaces and so on. Do always supervise kids when they’re cooking though.

All the recipes should feed four people for lunch or dinner.

Cheat’s pizza

Ingredients • 2 part-baked baguettes • 4-5 tablespoons of passata (or just use ketchup mixed with a dollop of tomato puree) • Toppings, e.g. shredded ham, cooked sweetcorn, pineapple chunks, pepperoni • Approx. 250g of grated mozzarella or cheddar Method 1. Preheat oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas mark 6.

2. Cut each baguette in half lengthways. Spread passata on the long cut sides.

3. Add your toppings, followed by cheese, and pop the pizzas in the oven for 10 minutes.

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Cheesy egg muffins Ingredients • 8 eggs • 100ml of milk • 1-2 slices of ham • A handful of vegetables, e.g. sliced mushrooms, chopped tomatoes, tinned sweetcorn • Approx. 120g of cheddar cheese Method 1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas mark 6. Lightly grease a muffin tin with butter.

2. Whisk the eggs and milk together.

3. Tear the ham into small pieces. Add the vegetables and ham to each individual muffin cup. Pour in the eggs and top with grated cheese.

4. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes. (Use a skewer or sharp knife to check they’re cooked.)

5. Eat hot with fries or cold with salad.

Pepper and tomato pasta Ingredients • Half an onion • Three large red or yellow salad peppers • Two cloves of garlic • One tablespoon of olive oil • One carton of passata • One tin of chopped tomatoes • A pinch of dried basil • Approx. 400g of dried wholemeal spaghetti • Cheese to sprinkle on top Method 1. Chop the onion, peppers and garlic. Warm the olive oil on a medium heat in a large saucepan. Add the chopped vegetables and lightly sauté for a few minutes. Add the passata, tinned tomatoes and dried basil. Pop the lid on and leave to simmer on a low heat for 15 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti in a large pan of boiling water for 10 minutes (or as long as it says on the packet).

3. Blend the sauce until smooth and spoon it over the cooked pasta. Add grated cheese if required. If there’s any sauce left, freeze it for another day.

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We caught up with one of our new clients, Neil Dickins, to show him around his new property.

Within three weeks of the house purchase we did all external work identified by the survey as needing attention and internal beautification to bring it up to spec before the first guests arrived.

Tell us a little about yourself?

“I fell in love with theatre whilst at McMaster Uni in Canada, and was told I must go to London.

I duly came to study Shakespeare but became ensnared in the thorns of an English rose (the red of Lancashire version) and never left.”

What do you do?

“I founded Intellectual Capital Resources (IC Resources) 22 years ago to focus on ‘deep tech’ recruitment (all the tech that’s in your phone, or a satellite, or an electric car….ie everything except IT). The company is now 70 people with offices in Reading, London, Munich, China and the US.” What were you hoping to achieve when making an investment with BTLH? “I make very high risk, seed stage investments in tech companies, and wanted an investment to balance my portfolio. Like all assets, property values fluctuate but the likely downside compared to stocks (or early stage companies!!) is lower.”

Why did you choose BTLH? “For me the most critical word in seeking success is ‘niche’. I loved the niche, under-represented ‘mid-term let’ idea as outlined by Adrian. My due diligence consisted of meeting his business partners Alex and Lucy, who also impressed me greatly and convinced me that the company was solid and would deliver on its promises. The great thing about the space that BTLH has carved out for itself is that it needs a particular kind of focus and attention, which I don’t think potential competitors

will understand even if they try to emulate BTLH. The other reason, of course, is that the ROI makes sense.”

What has your experience been working with BTLH? “Excellent from the outset. I’m 100% confident that the outstanding service levels will continue. We’ve also rented the house out for an excellent mediumterm rental even before it has been listed, which I’m sure is a positive portent of things to come.”

Any advice to someone else who might find themselves in your situation?

“Call me to invest in some crazy risky early stage tech companies. Eschew sensible investments like BTLH!” So… if you find yourself looking for an investment all piquant with crazy risk and excitement, contact Neil Dickins direct to hand over your hard-earned cash for him to invest in some dodgy early stage tech companies – and if you feel more like Neil, then get in touch with BTLH and see if we can find you a little gem like his so you can make a sensible investment. Neil’s parting words to us were: “I might start thinking about my next project with you guys…” You heard it here first!

Can BTLH help you find the perfect property? Get in touch and have a chat: 020 7550 9396 or hello@buytolethunter.com. For more information check out www.buytolethunter.com Quadrant Road, Richmond, London, TW9 1DH

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Solutions Quiz

CodeWord

1. A mockingbird 2. Wean In 15 3. 20 4. Pacifier 5. Baby One More Time (by Britney Spears; originally due to be called Hit Me Baby One More Time) 6. Terminator 2: Judgement Day 7. a) a primate 8. Under Pressure (by Queen and David Bowie) 9. Breech birth 10. Tom Selleck, Ted Danson and Steve Guttenberg

Sudokus Pictograms

1. The Whole Wide World 2. X Marks The Spot 3. Paper Over The Cracks

Wordwheel BESIDE

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Constructing Your Future 36

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