Hinchley Wood Magazine - Christmas 2015 by St Christopher's Hinchley Wood

WINTER 2015

THE FESTIVE ISSUE CHRISTMAS COOKING GARDENING FOR WINTER BEST SANTA GROTTOS PETS AS PRESENTS & MORE!

Sean Warren. Hinchley Wood today, the West End tomorrow

A COMMUNITY MAGAZINE BRINGING YOU THE NEWS & VIEWS FROM AROUND THE VILLAGE

ADVERTORIAL

FEATURES

Meet Sue Rodger – a woman at the heart of the community.

Royvon give us their advice on getting a pet dog for Christmas.

Sean Warren answers our questions about his early stage success.

Charlie Brooks visits the Mark Jermin Stage School.

REGULARS

Out N About – Enjoy the highlights from Hinchley Wood’s social scene.

Wylde on Food – Imina visits The Greyhound pub on Weston Green.

Food & Drink – Discover recipes for a Christmas cocktail and canapé.

Community – The news from the local schools, clubs and church.

History – Roger Thompson takes us to when the Hurst was happening!

Busy Izzy – Discover her holiday highlights in the local area.

The Team TEL 020 8398 9095 EMAIL office@ stchristopherschurch.org.uk

Editor Mandy Ali Writers Nigel Wylde, Imina Wylde, Rachel Herbert, Mandy Ali, Paul Downing, Jeremy Gordon Features Editor Neville Thurlbeck Busy Izzy Columnist Isobel Ash History Columnist Roger Thompson Art Director Jon Usher Design Consultant Yawming Wong Photographer Darren Salanson Illustrator Lucinda Kidney Production & Distribution Manager Mandy Ali Advertising & Marketing Rachel Herbert Revenue & Marketing Imina Wylde WINTER 2015

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SPOTLIGHT

Out ‘N’ About Photographs by DARREN SALANSON

Rachi Weerasinghe, Paul Downing & Mark Schuringa

Chloe & Phoebe Butt

BONFIRE NIGHT Hinchley Wood Primary School For another year running, the school’s PTA hosted a fantastic firework display Attended by well over a 1,000 community residents, the display filled the sky with a glorious 45 minute firework extravaganza.

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SPOTLIGHT

Penny & Melina Savvas

Rene, Lauren and Laura Turner with Woody the dog

Caroline and Joseph West; Simon, Michelle and Layla Drury

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY Hinchley Wood Memorial Gardens Emily & Niamh

Councillor Janet Turner and Councillor Nigel Haige-Brown

The community gathered to commemorate our past and present soldiers. All the Brownies, Guides, Beavers and Scouts were in attendance raising the flags and standards as the Reveille was sounded.

Abigail, Kaytana, Eleanor and Rosie

Bob Filby

CLASS COMEDY Hinchley Wood Primary School

Russell Hicks

The HWPSA treated a full house to a night of belly laughs courtesy of a highly talented line-up of hilarious comedians including Russell Hicks, Steve N Allen and Raymond & Mr Timpkins. The MC was Erich McElroy. WINTER 2015

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FEATURE

LITTLE MISS COMMUNITY Each day Sue Rodger can be seen outside Hinchley Wood Primary School guiding children and their parents safely across Claygate Lane. However, this sight belies the truth of an extraordinary lady who is at the heart of our community.

Photographs by DARREN SALANSON Words by NIGEL WYLDE

F FEATURE

or ninety minutes each day Sue Rodger is our School Crossing Patrol Officer or ‘Lollypop Lady’ as this hardy bunch of public spirited people is known. For 45 minutes every morning and afternoon Sue is on duty, stopping traffic two or three times a minute, for hundreds of us each school day. However, this sight, which is common up and down the country, belies the truth of an extraordinary lady who is at the heart of our community. In 2006, while her daughter Emma was at HWPS, she became a Governor of the school. Since then, she remains on the Board as a Co-opted Governor and is Vice Chair of the Governing Body. She has recently been reappointed for a further four years as a Governor, remaining in post until April 2019. Sue did not originally come from Thames Ditton. Whilst studying at Warwick University she met her husband, Andy, and on completion of their degrees they moved briefly to Molesey before buying their current house in Long Ditton. That was almost 25 years ago. Now with the mortgage almost paid off they have two daughters, Hannah who is at Liverpool University and Emma who is studying at Merrist Wood College.

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Sue left Warwick with a degree in teaching in secondary schools but soon realised that teaching was not for her, so she joined Surrey County Council (SCC), working in the Students Grants Department at County Hall. Fortunately for us she took redundancy from that job after about five years and began raising her family. Following the birth of Hannah she worked with others in the Dolly Mixtures mother and toddler group. This Group met in Thames Ditton Youth Club, which was threatened with closure and sale by SCC. Sue was one of a number of other users of the Club who were determined to save it for the benefit of the community. They campaigned locally and outside County Hall and, with help from Thames Ditton Councillor Ruth Lyon, were successful. The building was taken over by Elmbridge Council, remaining a community facility to this day. In about 2000 she became involved in Girl Guiding and soon moved to Brownies after realising that ‘Teenagers were not my thing’. Following a development path for Brownie Leaders she has risen to become the District Commissioner for the Dittons.

FEATURE

She was appointed for five years in 2011 and her appointment will end next year. Within the Dittons we have: nine Brownie Units, four Guides Units, four Rainbow Units and one Ranger Unit. All these groups are supported by Sue and the district team, which has about 45 volunteers. In 2010, as the leader of the 2nd Hinchley Wood Brownies, known as Brown Owl, Sue, together with other Hinchley Wood leaders, applied for a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and was awarded £15,000 to put on a display commemorating 100 years of Girlguiding and Brownies. After an initial display in the Library, the exhibition moved to Hampton Court Palace and, finally, into St. Christopher’s Church. Whilst at Hampton Court the Esher Division of the Girlguiding Movement held a Centenary celebration there and some 900 girls and leaders renewed their Girlguiding Promises. As if all this was not enough, Sue started the Walking Bus initiative in 2004. For six years three groups of children would walk to school in these ‘Buses’, keeping them safe on our ever-busier roads. Sue also helped as a parking controller at HWPS. All these initiatives led to her being given an

award in 2007 by Surrey County Council for Volunteering related to Travel Initiatives. The award has pride of place in her home. As a Governor of HWPS Sue is not only concerned with the new building work but is a member of the school’s Eco Schools Committee, which has been responsible for waste paper collection, energy monitoring and the development of the Eco Plot at HWPS. Even then, Sue is not satisfied with what she does for the community. She is also a member of the the Lynwood Scout and Guide HQ Management Committee and holds a Brownie Going Away Licence so she can take our youngsters away for overnight stays. All this community work says Sue, ‘Is fun and has become a way of life’. We all benefit from what Sue has done for the Hinchley Wood community over the years. Several generations of youngsters have benefitted from her initiatives and diligent care. So next time you see her on duty outside the Primary School, shake her hand and say ‘thank you’ for all she has done and is still doing.

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FEATURE

ROYVON DOG HOTELS & TRAINING

Dogs & Christmas

As the saying goes, a dog is for life not just for Christmas, but unfortunately it isn’t always possible to have them with you. Caring for any dog is a huge undertaking and caring for someone else’s can be an even bigger responsibility. Looking after a member of another family means it is crucial they feel comfortable and happy leaving their dog with you. Most people have a daily routine and it is important to provide the dog you are looking after with a similar routine to their own in order to help them settle in quickly. This can be anything ranging from the time they eat to how often they are exercised. Another important consideration is their diet. The pet food industry has grown exponentially over the last few years and there are a lot of different options. It would usually be recommended that the dog stays on the same diet they are used to at home. The amount you feed them should be similar but may increase or decrease depending on the amount of exercise they are going to have with you. Regular updates for the family reassure 14

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them and help them to enjoy their time away. We find that our Facebook photos and occasional videos are a great way to do this. There’s nothing better than seeing happy dogs playing with their friends! Christmas is a wonderful time of the year but don’t be swayed by those big, mournful eyes! Many of the treats that we enjoy during the festive period are bad and even dangerous for our four legged friends. The odd sausage or slice of turkey will be fine but under no circumstances should they be allowed any chocolate as it is toxic to dogs. There are some great treats made especially for dogs and we like to give biscuits that taste of Christmas dinner! It is a joy to be able to look after dogs and it can be sad seeing them go home; however it is always nice to see the happy reunion. When they have stayed once and got to know you, the next time will always be much easier and quicker for them to settle in. A dog is a fantastic addition to the family and it is a great privilege to be entrusted to look after someone else’s.

CONEW UR SE

Art Class Starts Soon

ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS TO IMPROVERS WILL LOVE THIS COURSE!

GREAT NEWS for local residents looking for something fun to do over the next few months! We are now taking enquiries for our new part-time Art Class, which starts soon. The classes are held once a week for three hours.

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INSPIRATION

FOOD & DRINK

Wylde about food Imina Wylde is off to review local places to go. To kick off the series, she started with the fabulous Greyhound on Weston Green.

t was my first time to visit this local pub for an actual dinner, but many people I had spoken to were raving about the warm welcome they had received by the landlords Lesley and Alistair and the culinary delight of Chef Marius. We arrived just after 8pm on a Wednesday evening and there was a lovely warm buzz about the place, we noticed that many tables were occupied by mainly ladies. Later it was revealed that Wednesday night

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is ladies night and you can enjoy a two course meal for ÂŁ15 inclusive of a large glass of wine or a glass of prosecco, if you book a ladies only table.

A friendly and homely ambience where traditional meets modern fresh dĂŠcor

INSPIRATION

This Thames Ditton pub provides such a friendly and homely ambience where traditional meets modern fresh décor, whilst providing a wonderful eclectic menu for all tastes.

Our senses were in heaven with each dish offering a delightful combination of warm & cold, soft & crunchy and mild & spicy The dishes we chose were stunning in aroma, great on the eye and even more so in taste. Our senses were in heaven with each dish offering a delightful combination of warm & cold, soft & crunchy and mild & spicy.

sticky toffee pudding, chocolate brownie and a cherry macaroon. The accompanying wines were perfectly balanced and complemented the food exceedingly well. Lesley and Alistair ensure that ideally all ingredients are sourced locally and if this is not possible they are at least British. The Greyhound also offers a stunning Sunday roast amongst other dishes, alongside a well thought out children’s menu designed by the landlord’s young children and Tuesday night is Steak Night. The Greyhound is very family friendly inside and out, they have a beautifully landscaped garden with a children’s play area and children sized tables, which makes for a relaxing family lunch or dinner experience. The Greyhound is worth a visit!!! Landlords Alistair & Lesley

We sampled a variety of dishes, from ‘Home smoked salmon, beetroot three ways accompanied by horseradish cream’, the divine ‘Ham hock croquettes, grilled pepper, relish and pea puree’, ‘Chicken skewer, celeriac and apple salad with coronation mayo’, ‘Lamb stew, butter beans, roasted squash, quinoa’ and the mouth-watering ‘Trio of homemade desserts’ including

THE GREYHOUND Weston Green Thames Ditton, Surrey, KT7 0JP (020 8398 1155 www.greyhoundwestongreen.co.uk) Ham Hock Croquettes Smoked salmon Chicken Skewer Lamb stew Desserts from

£5.50 £7 £6 £11 £5.50

The set menu for December is priced at £15 for 2 courses WINTER 2015

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INSPIRATION

FOOD & DRINK

Time for perfection

Alistair, owner and manager at The Greyhound, is a big fan of the Manhattan. Having tried them in various locations in the US he wrote his own recipe a couple of years ago. This only comes out at Christmas or on very special occasions as itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not only very strong but genuinely does feel like a luxury!

PERFECT MANHATTAN 50mls Red Stag Jim Beam 25mls Sweet vermouth 25mls dry vermouth Dash of Angostura Bitters Dash of juice from cocktail cherries

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1 Mix together with lots of ice and swirl gently. DO NOT SHAKE! 2 Pour into a chilled glass 3 Garnish with two cocktail cherries on a stick

INSPIRATION

FOOD & DRINK

Gobble it up

The Greyhound’s chef, Marius, shares one of his top recipes for turning turkey into a contemporary canape. Croquettes 1 Roughly chop up the meat and set aside 2 Melt the butter in a saucepan, add the flour and whisk it on a low heat until it forms a paste. Add the milk slowly, whisking all the time until you have a smooth, thick sauce. 3 Combine the meat, white sauce, lemon zest, parsley, cheese, salt and pepper. Using cling film, roll the mixture into a sausage shape (about 5cm wide). Freeze until firm. When ready, cut into 7cm lengths. 4 Whisk the eggs, dip the croquettes in flour, egg and then breadcrumbs. Shallow fry until golden and enjoy!

TURKEY CROQUETTES

with Spicy Cranberry Dip 1kg of cooked turkey 5g fresh thyme 100g finely chopped shallots Vegetable oil 50g unsalted butter 50g plain flour 250ml full fat milk 100g grated cheddar 15g chopped parsley Zest of half a lemon Salt and pepper Coating 2 x large eggs 50g plain flour 100g panko breadcrumbs Makes 10 croquettes 20

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Cranberry Dip Buy a good quality cranberry sauce, add chopped red chilli, orange zest and a little lemon juice. Whizz together until smooth.

“The best meat for a croquette is shredded. We confit our meat to make it really succulent” Marius, Chef

INSPIRATION

HOME & GARDEN

Gardening for Autumn Paul Downing, from Heritage Landscape Gardens, shares his top tips to prepare our gardens for winter. Autumn is upon us and the evenings are gradually drawing in and winter is fast approaching. There is still a lot you can do during the “non growing” months to get your garden in top condition for the coming spring and summer. Here are my top tips for jobs to do now:

Borders Dig over your borders, pull out all the weeds and feed by digging in some compost or manure. Clear out any summer bedding plants and divide up perennials to replant elsewhere in your garden, pruning as you go. There’s still time to plant out your spring bulbs, primulas, and pansies.

Pruning When shrubs have stopped flowering they start to go to seed and can look very leggy. This is because they draw their sap back to their roots to protect themselves in preparation of the colder weather, so it is time to cut them back to keep them healthy and to allow room for them to grow next year. A lot of people are nervous about doing this because they are not sure how much to cut back. Most shrubs, bushes and roses can be cut back to approximately a quarter / third of their size. If in doubt you can look it up on the internet or we can come and do it for you.

It’s also a good time to add roses – Hill Park Roses in Long Ditton have an excellent variety of roses at great prices – remember to follow the planting instructions that come 22

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INSPIRATION

with the roses. Many people don’t realise that the work/ preparation you do now during the autumn and winter months, will set your garden up to be “bloomin” lovely from spring onwards next year.

Lawn If you would like to look out of your house and see lush green grass, then follow these tips on how to treat your lawn before winter sets in. • Using a metal rake, scarify your lawn by removing dead grass, weeds and moss from the lawn’s surface. Keep it leaf free – leaves left on the lawn will deprive the grass of light and encourage dry brown patches and moss to grow • Aerate your lawn by using a garden fork to poke holes all over the lawn.

Then rake over a mix of sharp sand and any good soil or left-over potting compost over the holes – it will make your lawn look messy initially, but as the grass grows it gets absorbed and will aid drainage and allow air to penetrate the soil again. If you want to have a new lawn that looks good for next year, prepare for it to be laid now; autumn is the ideal time to start to make your garden look good for next year. • Never mow your lawn below 5cm – lawns should be mown a minimum of once a week; this applies throughout the year. I have seen many lawns over the years that have been simply scalped and the owners wondering why their lawn is dry and patchy. You should continue to mow your lawn up to the first frost. Feed your lawn with some autumn fertiliser with a low nitrogen content and a higher potassium content, which will strengthen the grass and increase its resistance to frost.

GET IN TOUCH... Contact us if you would like us to help you with any of the jobs outlined above. We are available to carry out regular garden maintenance, paving, fencing or completely redesign your garden. Heritage Landscape Gardens, 19 Claygate Lane, Thames Ditton KT7 0DL 0208 398 0100 / 07957 355040 www.pdowning.co.uk paul@pdowning.co.uk

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FEATURE

60 SECONDS WITH...

Sean Warren

We find out more about the rising star from Hinchley Wood School, recently won the award for Best Male Young Performer in a Play or Musical. summer. I also passed IDTA dance exams in Ballroom and Latin and freestyle with Honours.

How would you like to use your qualiﬁcations? I’d like to study a BTEC in Musical Theatre in Sixth Form – ideally at Italia Conti Arts Centre, the BRIT School or Arts Ed Sixth Form. I’d like to continue studying musical theatre at drama school and would ultimately like to perform in the West End or even on Broadway.

How old were you when you began learning drama? I started at Hinchley Wood Stagecoach when I was 9. Recently I moved to Stagecoach’s Further Stages school, which deepens skills and knowledge for each discipline.

What are you currently studying? In school I’m studying for my GCSE’s, which I’ll take in May 2016. Outside school I’ve already passed my LAMDA acting exams at Grade 6 (Bronze) with 26

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Distinction and I’ll be taking Grade 7 (Silver) in December. I gained the RADA Bronze Award in Shakespeare and have recently completed my Grade 4 ABRSM singing, taking Grade 5 next

What shows have you done? In 2011 I played Humphrey, the King’s Advisor, in Jack and the Beanstalk with the Desborough Players. My first ‘big break’ was in a National Theatre Connections production of

FEATURE

‘Edelweiss Pirates’ staged by Step On Stage. I was just 15 playing Juergan Bauer, a 17-year-old Nazi Youth who objected to Hitler’s war - It was a challenge. I enjoyed working with, and learning new skills from, older actors. We performed twice at Hampton Hill and one night at the Bush Theatre, London. The director asked me to audition for their next production: ‘Oliver’. Again I was lucky enough to be cast - this time as Fagin. We performed at Hampton again, this time doing five shows over four days. In September I won the award for Best Young Male Performer (aged 15-19) at the Richmond Arts Swan Awards for this performance. I was one of the youngest nominees; just to be nominated was a huge honour but to win it was unbelievable!

Do you get nervous before you go on stage? I still get very scared walking onto the stage, despite having done this for 6 years. I have certain rituals such as jumping from foot to foot and punching the air like a boxer and forming a cross on my body and kissing the second finger on both hands then wiggling them in the air. These seem to settle my nerves.

How do you prepare for a role? Lots of research! For ‘Edelweiss Pirates’; by reading and

understanding the stories of the group – many of whom had heart-breaking stories. For Fagin I watched footage of many different portrayals, such as Ron Moody and Ben Kingsley in film to Rowan Atkinson and Omid Djalili on stage. Films such as ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ also helped me to develop some of Fagin’s characteristics. Mastering his hand movements, his voice and the way he walked was essential to show his age. Creating the right walk and the hunched stance was challenging and hurt my back during the performances while changing my voice to sound old and husky required a lot of work. By the end of five performances my voice had merged with Fagin’s.

What advice would you give other aspiring young actors? Every performance can

be improved upon. During ‘Oliver! I improved daily by reflecting on every performance. Learn lines as soon as possible to allow more time for developing character. Join groups such as choirs and acting schools to gain experience and pick up tips from peers. See different genres of show at the theatre, cinema or on TV; seeing how others interpret a role helps you define your own route.

What’s next? At the moment I am having a break from the major performances, so that I can concentrate on my GCSE’s. I’ve just been offered at place at Italia Conti Arts Centre to continue my studies in Performing Arts from next September. I’ll be with them for at least 2 years gaining valuable experience and coaching in the industry. After that who knows – hopefully I’ll make it to the West End…… WINTER 2015

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INSPIRATION

BOOK REVIEW

The Story Behind the Stories:

Tabloid Secrets

PR director and journalist Neville Thurlbeck puts the red tops in the spotlight in a compelling memoir of his time on Fleet Street. Jeremy Gordon takes a look. Neville Thurlbeck was a top tabloid journalist for 25 years, eventually rising to News Editor at the The News of the World. It would be remiss not to mention the phonehacking scandal which led to the closure of “the world’s most famous newspaper” in 2011, and a short prison sentence for Thurlbeck. Yet, as he quickly makes clear, those hoping for a phone-hacking tell-all will be dissapointed; in fact, he says it “came onto [his] radar less than a handful of times”. What Tabloid Secrets does provide is an eloquent account of how radically journalism has changed.

Voraciously ambitious, he worked his way onto the staff at Today, The Daily Mirror and finally, The News of the World. The book largely traces the background behind his most famous scoops, including exposing Robin Cook and David Beckham’s affairs and pinning Jeffrey Archer as a perjurer. Though it seems unbelievable post-Leveson, we also discover Thurlbeck’s symbiotic relationship with the National Criminal Intelligence Service and cooperation with MI5, much of it the result of working undercover in the guise of a former army captain court-martialled for taking cocaine.

Thurlbeck, a Hinchley Wood resident, has a storyteller’s gift for concision. His upbringing in “genteel poverty” in 60’s Sunderland and time at Lancaster University are covered at breakneck speed while hitting all the right period notes. He’s funny too:

Those interested in journalism will find Tabloid Secrets fascinating. Details such as “pack rules” - which govern how competing journalists chase stories - are brilliantly captured. Overall, it’s a compelling picture of a world which, whatever you might think of it, has rapidly disappeared.

“There were very few careers open to a man who was brash, pushy to the point of being aggressive, overly self-confident and armed with a third-class degree from a secondclass university.” He proved a natural. In his first eighteen months at the weekly Harrow Observer Thurlbeck secured the front page splash 63 times. He paints a picture of a smoky newsroom unrecognisable today, where pipe-smoking sub-editors “measured out pages using an em rule and a pencil…” 28

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EEASS FR T CL

TRIAL

COMMUNITY

ST. CHRISTOPHER’S CHURCH & COMMUNITY HUB

What’s happened... The Church and Community Hub has been very busy throughout the autumn and there have been some fun events to brighten up the dark autumnal evenings

Fond farewell to the Kronenbergs The church was packed on 20th September when John Kronenberg took his final service at St. Christopher’s Church, ushering in what could be a lengthy Interregnum period. His service was followed by a leaving party, where he and Philippa were presented with gifts from the church community. Philippa was additionally presented with a gift from the choir and thanked for her hard work and dedication over the years. We all wish John and Philippa much happiness and every blessing in John’s new parish of St. John the Evangelist at Redhill.

Harvest Festival John’s departure was quickly followed by Harvest. On Friday 25th September St. Christopher’s Church welcomed Hinchley Wood Primary School for their Harvest Assembly. The children raised over £700 for the charity, Save the Children. St. Christopher’s Church’s Harvest Festival service on 4th October was followed by a ‘Bring ‘n’ Share’ lunch, which was open for all – not just the church family. It was well attended, with plenty of food for all, thanks 30

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to the generosity of the congregation. A huge ‘thank you’ is also due to the local nursery schools ‘Busy Bees’ and ‘Kids Unlimited’, who brought along several boxes of food for Harvest which we donated to local refuges within the Diocese. The incredible generosity of the local community is greatly appreciated.

COMMUNITY

ST. CHRISTOPHER’S CHURCH & COMMUNITY HUB

Surrey Churches Ride & Stride Day on Saturday 12th September

Now in its 17th year, this event supports The Surrey Churches Preservation Trust who raise money for the restoration and repair of buildings for Christian worship. Participants are sponsored for the number of churches they visit either by walking or cycling on that day. Half of the money they raise goes to the Trust and the remainder to a church of their choice. St Christopher’s church had two sponsored cyclists who visited some of the interesting variety of churches we have in this area, from the 12th Century St Mary’s Walton on Thames to the comparatively young St Christopher’s consecrated in 1953, and a prefabricated church at West End Esher.

Our two riders managed to call in on all the 14 Emly/Esher Deanery churches taking part, and although the weather to start with was not too kind, things improved and we had an enjoyable day. An added bonus was meeting other participants at the various churches on the route. Not only is this event a fun day for the participants, but they are also raising money for their church and the Trust, which has distributed more than £250,000 since its inception. How about giving it a try next year? For more information please contact Roy Turner on 020 8398 1565 or via user@ royjanet.wanadoo.co.uk WINTER 2015

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COMMUNITY

ST. CHRISTOPHER’S CHURCH & COMMUNITY HUB

Happy Hampers

Local treasure Clare Bell is very active in helping the community. For the last four years Clare has been making up Christmas hampers for the less privileged, for whom Christmas would be much bleaker, or nonexistent, without these supplies to get them through the season with Christmas cheer. The hampers go to local families struggling financially; to the five women’s refuges within this diocese housing abused mothers and children; and to the local food bank. Clare says: “I could not do this without the kind help of friends and family, mums from the local school and everyone who donates” If you can donate something, please contact Clare. She is looking for nonperishable food, sweets, drinks, nappies, wipes, toiletries, toys for kids new born to 16 and treats for the adults. Last year the family of Adrian, a local man, greatly benefitted from one of these hampers. Adrian said: “Without the help of a wonderful lady called Clare and her Christmas hampers our Christmas would have been ruined”.

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“You never know what’s around the corner” Adrian’s wife is disabled and her health took a severe turn for the worst last year so Adrian had to give up work to care for her. As he was self-employed, their money immediately went from a good wage to zero, leaving them in dire straits just a few weeks before Christmas. The family was presented with a huge hamper full of food and drink, plus gifts for the children, who would otherwise have had nothing. This saved their Christmas and Adrian says: “We will be forever grateful.“ Clare is currently accepting donations for her hampers, so if you can donate anything to help this cause, please do so - for those who will struggle have a Christmas this year. To learn more, contact Clare on clarewood@ mail.com.

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COMMUNITY

ST. CHRISTOPHER’S CHURCH & COMMUNITY HUB

Food Bank It is sometimes hard to believe that even here, in the fifth safest borough in Britain and in an area where house prices rise steadily, some of our neighbours may be in real need. We do not always take into account the fragility of our comfortable existences. A sudden marital breakdown can leave one or both people in financial straits, while the death of a partner frequently means that the survivor is left trying to maintain a house they can no longer afford and can sometimes mean financial disaster. The loss of a job can also create serious problems. In all these situations and more families and individuals can be left to cope with a period of real poverty during the sometimes protracted time it takes local and national government support systems to click in.

Our local food bank exists to help people over the hard times. Whilst it is not really meant to be a long-term support system, it is true to say that some people need help for a bit longer than others. Most of us donate to charities for a whole range of causes and needs, so why not look a bit closer to home as well. Help at Christmas is always important as it is the time people can sometimes be at their lowest but food banks work all through the year. There are local collection points at Tesco’s and Waitrose so please make use of them whenever you can.

WANT TO ADVERTISE IN THE MAGAZINE? Whether it’s a quarter, half, full or double page, if you want your business to reach over 2000 homes in Hinchley Wood, please contact the Parish Office on 020 8398 9095 or email office@stchristopherschurch.org.uk

COMMUNITY

ST. CHRISTOPHER’S CHURCH & COMMUNITY HUB

Remembrance Sunday Hinchley Wood community turned up in force for the Remembrance Sunday Service in the Memorial Gardens. This very moving service was led by Caroline Mullins, Curate at St. Christopher’s Church, and the church choir. The choir and band from Hinchley Wood School and the choir from Hinchley Wood Primary School ably assisted. The presence of the local uniformed organisations such as the Brownies, Guides, Scouts and Cubs as well as various local dignitaries made this a truly community-led event.

Coming up... Christmas at St. Christopher’s Church & Community Hub

For details of all St. Christopher’s Church and Community Hub events, check the website (www.stchristopherschurch.org.uk), or contact Mandy Ali in the Parish Office on: 020 8398 9095.

Quiz Nights Saturday, 5th December at 12:30pm: Christmas Lunch Together Sunday, 6th December at 10:00am: Christingle Service Sunday, 13th December at 4:00pm: Community Carol Concert Monday, 14th December: Carol singing at Grace Lodge and Gibson Court Sunday, 20th December at 6:00pm: Christmas Carol Service Thursday, 24th December at 3:00pm: Crib Service/11:30pm: Midnight Mass Friday, 25th December at 10:00am: All-Age Christmas Morning Eucharist Hinchley Wood Primary School will also be holding their Reception and Year 1 Carol concerts at St. Christopher’s Church on the 14th and 15th of December 36

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The St. Christopher’s Church Quiz Night is always a fun, challenging evening which is eagerly awaited by Quiz Night aficionados. The last Quiz Night took place on Saturday, 7th November and, once again, it ran like clockwork thanks to the wonderful organisation skills of Jane Barnett. Jane is lending her skills to the organisers of a charity Quiz Night being held at St. Christopher’s Church on Saturday, 16th January 2016. For those who cannot wait that long, one of our caretaking team is running another charity Quiz Night here on Saturday, 12th December in aid of Progressio, a charity he is travelling with to Malawi to take part in an HIV/AIDS awareness project.

COMMUNITY

ST. CHRISTOPHER’S CHURCH & COMMUNITY HUB

Stop 2 Cross “We’d like to be able to walk and cycle around safely.”

The junction of Manor Road North with Claygate Lane has become increasingly busy over the years – especially with the year-on-year expansion of Hinchley Wood Primary School – and the building works at both schools has not improved matters. This junction is a key pedestrian route for parents and pupils on their way to both Hinchley Wood schools as well as the three local nursery schools. It is also a key route for people going to St Christopher’s Church, the local rugby, hockey and football clubs, Thames Ditton library and Lynwood Recreation Park.

traffic islands put in a few years ago to help people cross are not sufficient as there is currently no requirement for traffic to stop for pedestrians. When traffic does eventually stop, the island quickly becomes dangerously clogged with pedestrians, bicycles, scooters and pushchairs. The pavement is also very steep - particularly dangerous for young children on their scooters as they wait to cross the road. Outside of rush hour the risk for pedestrians crossing the road is even greater as cars tend to speed along Manor Road North.

During the school run times – which coincide with busy commuter traffic – the pavement on the North Side of Manor Road North becomes extremely busy. The

Many people have witnessed near-misses and a group of Hinchley Wood parents recently launched a petition to improve the crossing at this junction for pedestrians and

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cyclists. Elmbridge Local Committee will be hearing the matter at their meeting on 7th December so the petition can only remain on line until 22nd November. However, local councillor Janet Turner has advised that a letter written to Surrey County Council Highway Team carries more weight and that there is no deadline for this. Frederique Sullivan, who is co-ordinating the campaign, can be contacted on:

07954178 371 - 02082240335 stop2cross@gmail.com Facebook: stop2cross Twitter: #stop2cross Alternatively, you can write to: Highway Department at Surrey County Council, County Hall, Penrhyn Road, Kingston. KT1 2DN Email: www.surreycc.gov.uk/highways

COMMUNITY

ST. CHRISTOPHER’S CHURCH & COMMUNITY HUB

Who’s who?

Parish administrator – Mandy Ali and I believe that worshipping at the church is integral to the work wo of Parish Administrator. Ad I am often sought out after morning service, s which is no w hardship as I h enjoy getting en to know other members of my me church family. chu

Since I became Parish Adminstratorr in January 2014 the work of the Parish Office h Offi has become ever busier as the daily life of the church has become more vibrant, with different acitivities taking place within its walls every weekday morning. I can listen to Maria’s Zumba classes or to the sounds of children enjoying ‘Stay & Play’, Creation Station and Ballet Bugs as well as the children from Christopher Robin Nursery School playing ‘Knock Down Ginger’ on the back door of the church! We are also currently helping out Hinchley Wood Primary School, who use the Vestry for their piano lessons. Some of them play beautifully! To put it in terms of the church being a body: if the PCC and Wardens are the brain; the vicar and congregation the heart and soul of the church, the work of the Parish Office is the blood that pumps around the body. The work of the Parish Administrator has a bearing on every part of church life 40

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The work of the Parish Office Paris encompasses encom anything and anyth everything which makes a busy church run smoothly, such as producing the weekly News Sheet and all the publicity for events; I am responsible for all the hirings in the Church & Community Hub and I am also on the Hinchley Wood magazine team. The job of Parish Administrator is busy and challenging but it is also rewarding.

Mandy Ali & the Church Choir

COMMUNITY

ST. CHRISTOPHER’S CHURCH & COMMUNITY HUB

What’s on...

Take a look at all the great activities that are happening every day at the Hinchley Wood Community Hub. Weekdays during term time: Christopher Robin Nursery School (Hall)

Mondays: 9:15am: 7:30pm 7:30pm: 1st Monday each month:

Zumba with Maria Mitchell (Church) Pilates with Jo James (Church) Broadway Sequence Dance (Hall) Theology at The Angel (8:00pm at The Angel Pub)

Tuesdays: 10:00am: 11:00am: 3:45pm: 5:30pm: 7:30pm: 7:30pm:

The Creation Station – babies (church) The Creation Station – toddlers (church) Yoga with Judith Richards (Hall) Yoga with Judith Richards (Hall) Yoga with Jane Howard (Hall) Line Dancing (Church)

Wednesdays: 9:30am: 1:00pm: 3:00pm: 7:30pm: 8:00pm: 1st Wednesday each month: 2nd Wednesday each month: 4th Wednesday each month:

Stay & Play (Church) Yoga with Judith Richards (Hall) Yoga with Judith Richards (Hall) Pilates with Jo James (Hall) Kung Fu with Andy King (Hall) Girls@Georgie’s (8:00pm at Georgie’s Coffee Shop) Mother’s Union Monthly Meeting (7:30pm in the Vestry) Women’s Wednesday Fellowship (7:30pm at Hinchley Wood School)

Thursdays: 9:15am: 4:15pm: 6:00pm: 7:30pm:

Zumba with Maria Mitchell (Church) Elevate Eleven (Tutoring group) in the Vestry/Lady Chapel Weight Watchers (Hall) Music Practice (before for 2nd/4th/5th Sundays only) (Church)

Fridays: 9:30am: 1st Friday each month: 2nd/3rd Friday each month:

Ballet Bugs (Church) Messy Church (3:30pm in the Church) Family Film Matinee (3:30pm in the Hall)

Saturdays: 8:30am:

Yoga with Anna Holmes/Nicola Pritchard (Hall)

Sundays: 3rd Sunday each month:

Mustard Seeds service at 3:00pm (Church)

The church is also regularly used by the National Blood Transfusion Service and as a Polling Station for Elmbridge. WINTER 2015

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COMMUNITY

ST. CHRISTOPHER’S CHURCH & COMMUNITY HUB

Regular services Here’s a list of all the regular services that are held at St. Christopher’s Church. Sunday Mornings at 10:00am Family Communion Service 1st & 3rd Sundays Communion Service with Sunday School 2nd, 4th & 5th Sundays

Sunday Afternoons and Evenings Sunday afternoon and evening services are currently changing and will be as advertised on St. Christopher’s Church website. For further details call Mandy Ali in the Parish Office on: 020 8398 9095

Wednesday Mornings at 11:30am: 1st Wednesday of the month: Eucharist with MU 3rd Wednesday of the month: Prayers for St. Christopher’s Church

1st Friday of the Month at 3.30pm: Messy Church

3rd Sunday of the Month at 3.00pm: Mustard Seeds

Advent & Christmas services 2015

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COMMUNITY

ST. CHRISTOPHER’S CHURCH & COMMUNITY HUB

Sharing God’s work Vicar

Gift Aid Administrator

Vacancy

Moira Bearshall

Curate

Servers Team

Reverend Caroline Mullins Rev.carolinemullins@gmail.com 020 8224 3334

Ivan Burnside, Sean Warren

Pastoral Assistants

020 8398 9095

Sacristy Team Hilda Highley, Jean Hoseason, Caroline Mullins

Liz Hammond 020 8786 6802 Margaret Thompson 020 8398 4156

Band and Choir Leaders

Parish Administrator

GodZone Sunday School

Mandy Ali Contact via Parish Office

Jane Barnett

Parish Office

Wednesday mornings 9:30am-11:00am For pre-school children and parents, grandparents and all carers.

Open 9:00–2:00pm, Monday-Friday 020 8398 9095 office@stchristopherschurch.org.uk

Churchwardens Mark Schuringa 020 8339 8841 mark@dittonwinetraders.co.uk Tracey Warren 020 8398 3624 tracey124@ntlworld.com

Deputy Churchwardens Celia Francis Eileen Griffiths Suzie Pepperell

020 8398 0657 020 8398 6168 07980665427

Parochial Church Council Heather Allen, Moira Beardshall, Tim Blair, Ann Ellis, Celia Francis, Eileen Griffiths, Liz Hammond, Rachel Herbert, Suzie Pepperell, Margaret Thompson, Neville Thurlbeck, Imina Wylde

Deanery Synod Representatives Liz Hammond & Suzie Pepperell

PCC Secretary Heather Allen

020 8339 0850

Dave Ellis, Suzie Pepperell 020 8398 4082

Stay & Play

Mothers’ Union Contact via Parish Office Branch Secretary: Suzie Pepperell Branch Treasurer: Moira Beardshall

Women’s Wednesday Fellowship Jean Hayes Maureen Price

020 8398 1914 020 8398 2561

Church & Hall Bookings Mandy Ali Parish Office 020 8398 9095 office@stchristopherschurch.org.uk

Parish Magazine Team Contact via Parish Office Advertising & Marketing: Rachel Herbert Art Director: Jon Usher Busy Izzy Columnist: Isobel Ash Features Editor: Neville Thurlbeck History Columnist: Roger Thompson Illustrator: Lucinda Kidney Photographer: Darren Salanson Production & Distribution: Mandy Ali Revenue & Marketing: Imina Wylde

www.stchristopherschurch.org.uk WINTER 2015

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COMMUNITY

MOTHER’S UNION

Calling all Hinchley Wood heroes... Hinchley Wood MU has changed the day of our regular Corporate Communion from the first Thursday of the month to the first Wednesday of the month. We continue to hold regular meetings, also on the second Wednesday of the month, usually in the Meeting Room at the back of St Christopher’s Church. Throughout the summer we have had

many fascinating meetings. Claire Duff came to speak to us at our June meeting, giving us a fascinating insight into her job as a midwife. She told us about the training she underwent, the changes she has witnessed and the problems she encounters in the day-to-day running of a maternity ward crammed to bursting on a daily basis! We were left with a profound respect for the work done by these unsung heroines! Talking of heroes... for the last two years MU has put out an appeal for various items to make up Christmas boxes for the mothers who use the refuges run by our diocese. The response has been phenomenal and at our last meeting we made up over 40 boxes for distribution to the refuges at Christmas. Many thanks to everyone whose donations made this possible.

Could you help run Hinchley Wood MU? As Philippa has now left for pastures new, Moira and Suzie need help with running the Hinchley Wood branch of MU. Moira juggles hands-on duties as a grandmother with looking after the books for MU and Gift Aid administration for St. Christopher’s, while Suzie juggles running this branch of MU with her studies and caring duties. We are grateful that one of our more experienced MU members has stepped in to help out but Suzie and Moira still need others to assist with various tasks. If you feel you can help out in any way, please contact Suzie Pepperell via the Parish Office. 46

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COMMUNITY

WOMEN’S WEDNESDAY FELLOWSHIP

Summer fun for Women’s Wednesday Fellowship Women’s Wednesday Fellowship had a busy and varied summer. In May, Margaret Watson squeezed a very large golden harp into our meeting room and entertained us with a vast musical range from Bach to folk songs, Glenn Miller and Louis Armstrong. In June we had a whistle stop photographic tour round major sites of China. We heard about tight security everywhere but were able to see inside a typical home and glimpse great achievements like the Maglev train - 430 kilometres per hour. Good food was enjoyed and conversation flowed with the rain as we sat under marquees at our Annual Garden Party on a wet July afternoon. During the summer there have been outings to Hogarth’s House, Pyrford Lock and The Shard, all using the Elmbridge Community Bus. Our 2016 Programme is already booked. There will be talks entitled ‘Village of Shere’, ‘You the Jury’, ‘Handbags to Handcuffs’, ‘Noel Coward’ and ‘Handwriting Analysis’. Social meetings will be our annual lunch in January and the garden party in July. Christmas refreshments and a talk on ‘The Foundling Hospital’ will be shared with The Mothers’ Union. We will hear about our 2016 charity ‘Battersea Dogs Home’. There will be outings to the Theatre and various other places as the year progresses.

GET IN TOUCH.... The Women’s Wednesday Fellowship was set up in 1958 and meets on the 4th Wednesday of the month at 7:30pm at Hinchley Wood School. We have interesting talks from outside speakers, hold discussions on the issues of the day and go on occasional outings. If you would like to join us, please call 020 8398 1914 or 020 8398 2561.

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THE PLEASURE

GARDENS Roger Thompson takes us back to when the banks of Molesey Lock entertained the masses.

f time travel were really possible and you were transported to an Edwardian Summers day at Molesey Lock you would be amazed. Where there are now boats in their tens then they would have been in their hundreds. The banks of the river would have been filled with crowds of people in their best clothes. Many indeed most of them had come from London either by train, bus or boat for in those days this was the place to be and to be seen. How did this come about and why has it gone? Our story, which will be in two parts, starts in the early eighteenth century.

VIIIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time but in the 1700s its popularity acquired a new dimension. Upstream towards West Molesey was an open area of land on the riverside called Moulsey Hurst, stretching further west than the current Hurst Park but not so far east. For a long time this was the site for occasional horse races or games of football but in the mid-1700â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s it became famous for cricket matches. Unlike today these matches had sides ranging from five aside to the mid twenties. The first recorded match was in 1738, between the men of Hampton and the men of Brentford.

Part 1 Sport on the Hurst Hampton Court and the village of Moseley had been popular sites to visit since Henry

Matches grew bigger and bigger over the next 90 years, attracting a great many gamblers, entertainers and food and drink

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FEATURE

providers. The local aristocracy was heavily involved and soon the rich and famous began to visit from London. Matches ranged from a 6-a-side match between spinsters and married women to a 13-a-side match between the men of England and the men of Surrey. The ground was used by a number of clubs until the fashions changed in the 1830’s, when the clubs declined. Little cricket was played there for the next 55 years. Sporting life at the Hurst continued, with cock fighting, horseracing and bare fist fighting also taking place, bringing more people and money. In 1750 a narrow wooden toll bridge was built across the river to supplement the ferrymen’s services, being replaced in 1778 by a much more substantial affair which lasted for 100 years. Inns and taverns grew up on either side of the river to refresh and entertain the many people using it. Fighting was the most popular sport by far and Molesey became the largest site in the country, the crowds numbering up to 10,000. A huge number of pre-eminent people, including the Prince regent and his entourage, regularly visited the fights. This popularity led to its downfall; the level of gambling associated with the fights grew and grew and the crowds, aware of the corruption involved, began to drift away. The last major bare knuckle fight in England was held on the Hurst in 1824 and was followed by a prosecution, bringing fighting to an end.

term rivalry. Gambling, food, drink, music and dancing added to these occasions. The size of the racecourse, which was a very short circuit with no long straight, caused problems and, with only two races a year, the income could not support improvements. As other tracks improved, the Molesey track declined and in 1878 the Jockey Club withdrew the licence for the course. By 1890 a new company had built a well-equipped course but, despite this, attendance was initially poor. However, they bought land to the east of the course and the life of Hurst Park race course began. The race track continued until the 1960’s and had many landmark events, including an arson attack by suffragettes in 1913, which caused considerable damage. It was still popular when its owners sold the land to developers. Many people still have fond memories of the racing on Hurst Park. Our story will continue in the next issue of Hinchley Wood when we will look at Locks, Boats, Taverns and Casinos and answer the question asked at the beginning of this article.

As fighting declined, so horse racing rose. A fair was held on the Hurst twice a year and a series of races was arranged. These were great social occasions, with crowds of up to 100,000 arriving from London and all over Surrey by coach, boat and, later, by train. The gypsy families would begin arriving a week before the races, the Lees and the Rossitors being the most prominent. The races provided a backdrop to their longWINTER 2015

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COMMUNITY

1st HINCHLEY WOOD SCOUT GROUP

The awards keep on coming

Back in July 1st Hinchley Scouts took pride of place at the Chief Scout awards ceremony with by far the greatest number of recipients from any Scout Group in Surrey. As seen in the photo they almost needed a bigger stage to fit all 11 Scouts with their Chief Scout Gold award. This is the highest award in the Scout section and goes to show why 1st Hinchley Wood has been so successful over the past few years.

overtook the previous record of 4 years, also set by 1st Hinchley Wood. Now with only a couple of events left in 2015 it looks unlikely that any other troop can overtake us.

With the annual Esher District Top Troop Trophy competition still underway 1st Hinchley Wood look set to win this prestigious competition for a record 6th year in a row. Last year our Scouts

With 10 Scout groups in Esher District this is a tremendous achievement and largely down to the dedication of all the Scout Leaders who freely give up their time to help develop these skills to our Scouts.

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This Trophy is awarded to the best Scout Troop in Esher District, with points being awarded based on success across a number of challenging events.

COMMUNITY

Summer Camp 2015

IN BRIEF...

Christmas post This year we will continue our ever popular Christmas postal service covering Hinchley Wood and the surrounding area. Please support this service where the proceeds will all go towards the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance Trust www.kssairambulance.org.uk The post boxes, which will be distributed around Hinchley Wood, all bear the Scout Badge and a listing of the roads covered by the service. They will be emptied regularly and taken in overnight. Simply post your Christmas mail in one of our boxes together with coins to cover the postage. (30 pence each letter). The service will run from Mon 7th Dec till Mon 21st Dec

Centenary 2016 This year’s Summer camp took place in Snowdonia where we got our fill of typical Welsh weather! Despite this it was a great success with some exciting mountaineering, kayaking, sea fishing, coasteering and various expeditions.

Our Cub leaders are busy planning an exciting year of activities in 2016 to commemorate the centenary of Cub Scouting. Whilst Scouting officially started in 1907 it wasn’t until 1916 that the Cub Scout section was formed, at that time called Wolf Cubs. With lots of activities based on the 100 theme planned the highlight of the year will be a trip to Brownsea Island in June, the site of the first ever Scout Camp led by Lord Baden Powell.

GET IN TOUCH... For more details about 1st Hinchley Wood Scout Group visit our website www.1stHWScouts.org.uk or call Chris Beaney on 020 8224 0981.You could also follow us on Twitter – @1stHWScouts WINTER 2015

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COMMUNITY

GIRLGUIDING

Busy Brownies

Since the summer we have had some amazing outings, participated in some great activities and completed some challenges: from going on a great holiday to Paxmead Riverside Base in Shepperton, to a Kata Kanu’s race - where we were allowed to jump into the water at the end. Some of our activities were based around the theme of The Wind in the Willows: making boats out of margarine tubs and creating masks, which we wore while acting out short plays based around our theme. On one of the warmer days we ambled along the river to Chertsey Lock and savoured a sumptuous picnic. We also put on a play for our parents and friends called Snow White and the Seven Brownies. October saw numerous Rainbows, Brownie and Girl Guiding units come together at Notre Dame school to participate in Aquafun. 1st Hinchley Wood Brownies came first in a four way tie and the 2nd Hinchley Wood Brownies 54

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came second. In November we fundraised for Children in Need and we are enhancing our orientation skills for our Finding Our Way Badge. We also attended the Remembrance Service at the Memorial Gardens. The upcoming events for our Brownies are: •

• •

•

Serving Christmas Lunch at the Lunches Together event at the beginning of December Enjoying A Christmas Carol at the Rose Theatre Participating in the District Thinking Day in February to remember Lord and Lady Baden Powell who founded the Girlguiding Movement and to think about Guiding around the world A camping weekend at Chessington World of Adventures is also being planned for next year

COMMUNITY

Join the team Throughout the country more than 100,000 volunteers contribute over ten million hours to guiding every year. In return, Girlguiding offers training and the opportunity to develop new skills. We need volunteers to give their time as Leaders or Assistant Leaders for our guiding units. Volunteering with Girlguiding is about more than just giving something back to our community. By volunteering with us you’ll work closely with girls and young women, offering them support and guidance at crucial stages in their lives. All kinds of people volunteer with Girlguiding, so it’s a great opportunity to meet new people where you live, while making a real contribution to your community. If you’re someone with a sense of adventure looking for a rewarding challenge, Girlguiding could be for you. You’ll enjoy different activities, have great fun and help girls build their confidence and try something new at the same time – what could be better? To find out more, visit www.girlguiding.org.uk

ABOUT US...

Our aim The aim of guiding is to help girls and young women develop emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually, so that they can make a positive contribution to their community and the wider world. The core values of Girlguiding: • • • •

We We We We

are for all girls give girls their own space give girls a voice change as the lives of girls change

A bit of history The Girl Guide Association was formed in 1910. Guides was the first section for girls aged 10-14. In 1914 the Brownies was formed for 8-11 year olds Over the next century many changes took place as the Guiding movement adjusted to changes in society. The Senior Section for girls aged over 14 started in 1916 and in 2002 Girlguiding UK became the new name. In 2010 we celebrated the Girlguiding Centenary with a Division event at Hampton Court Palace where we all renewed our promises.

GET IN TOUCH... Hinchley Wood is part of the Dittons District. Our Joint District Commissioners are Sue Rodger and Lesley Sullivan who can also be contacted for information about units in Hinchley Wood, Thames Ditton, Long Ditton and Weston Green. Sue’s email is: sue_c_rodger@hotmail.com Lesley’s email is: lesleysullivan@hotmail.co.uk WINTER 2015

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FUNERAL DIRECTORS AND MEMORIAL STONEMASONS

T H E F A M I L Y Y O U C A N T U R N T O... Seven generations of our family have been helping and advising local families in their time of need. For over 230 years we have been providing funerals, both modest and traditional, with care and compassion. ESHER: EAST MOLESEY: THAMES DITTON:

78 High Street

01372 463903

156 Walton Road

020 8941 1412

ASK ABOUT OUR PRE-PAYMENT FUNERAL PLANS

37 High Street

020 8398 4586

Custodian Trustee: HSBC Trust Co. (UK) Ltd.

Ultimate Wellbeing Jo James and Zoe Bennett, two locally based Pilates and Fitness instructors have combined their extensive expertise and experience to offer:

Pilates Workshops

Wellbeing Retreats

Summer Day Retreat. Experience Ultimate Wellbeing PU H KH`" QVPU \Z MVY 7PSH[LZ Ä[ULZZ Z[YL[JO HUK YLSH_ followed by a delicious, nutritional lunch and advice on maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Wednesday 17th June, 9:30am – 2:30pm in Long Ditton, £75 per person. Spaces are limited so book early. Monthly Workshops. 1.5 hour sessions of different approaches to Pilates. Fun and informative, these workshops are an ideal opportunity to try out Pilates in a relaxed environment with no long term commitment. Sunday, 10:00am – 11:30am in Hinchley Wood. Weekend Retreat. How about three days away to achieve your Ultimate Wellbeing? Our October retreat will give you two UPNO[Z VM Ä[ULZZ HUK LULYNPZPUN V\[KVVY L_WLYPLUJLZ suitable for all ability levels. www.ultimatewell-being.co.uk info@ultimatewell-being.co.uk 07764 685197 or 07986 659959

COMMUNITY

HINCHLEY WOOD PRIMARY SCHOOL

Brick by brick...

It has been a very busy term for us at Hinchley Wood Primary School. Our building works are now well under way and we look forward to unveiling our new premises in June 2016.

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COMMUNITY

HINCHLEY WOOD PRIMARY SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

September came around again and Hinchley Wood Primary School welcomed yet another 90 children into reception with polished shoes and enthusiastic smiles. Despite the building works necessitated by the school’s expansion, the HWPSA have not been taking a break. The HWPSA or ‘PTA’ is an association made up of volunteer mums and dads who organise events to raise money and enhance the life of the school. However, it’s not all about the money. One of our first events was a coffee morning for the new parents; either ‘tea and tissues’ or ‘coffee and cheers’ depending on your point of view. In October, we also hosted an extremely successful Class Comedy Night. The school hall saw three very amusing acts and a witty compere entertained the cream of Hinchley Wood residents. Competitively priced tickets and drinks helped everyone to let their hair down in a manner befitting a Thursday night. Although the audience was dominated by parents, a few ‘civilians’ made it in and also had an excellent time. The headline event this term was the professionally organised Firework display which again took place on Fireworks Night

itself. Over 1,500 people attended, with people drawn from the school community and those in the local area. We are particularly proud of our links with Long Ditton Infants and Juniors which extends the benefits of the fireworks to many more local residents. With more young families moving into the area and the primary school expanding from 2 to 3 form entry, the HWPSA is an excellent introduction to the local community. We hope that you enjoy our events from fireworks to fairs. The money raised from these events goes directly to benefit the school but the team of volunteers also hope the events are enjoyable for themselves not just as fundraisers. We hope to see you on December 5th when we throw open the gates again for our Christmas fair with everything from a Santa’s Grotto to a One Stop Christmas Shop. WINTER 2015

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COMMUNITY

HINCHLEY WOOD SCHOOL

Black & White works for fundraiser

Hinchley Wood School’s Black and White fundraising ball on Saturday 19 September exceeded all expectations and raised an amazing £18,600; funds that will be used specifically to improve the school’s much needed ‘wet break’ facilities. From the sparkling welcome cocktails and warm-up set by the school’s very own Blue Mondays jazz band, to the casino and impressive Lamborghini on loan for the night, it could almost have been a scene from a James Bond film! It was, in fact, the school sports centre miraculously transformed into a fantastic ballroom by an army of volunteer parents and staff. 60

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Thanks to the generosity of everyone who attended, with their incredible support of the auction and raffle, not to mention the bar, plus the continued and generous support of the local business community the fifth HWS Ball was a record breaking success.

COMMUNITY

Hinchley Wood Supports ‘Burbs to Calais’ Hinchley Wood parents and students responded with their usual generosity to a plea sent out on behalf of the Surbiton based ‘Burbs to Calais’ group, who are collecting badly needed items of toiletries that can be sent to the refugee camps in France. In just three days the school had amassed donations that filled

two estate cars! Sarah Rust, the campaign organiser, sent heartfelt thanks to everyone involved “…..in such a short space of time that you were able to garner such an incredible reaction from your students and families, says wonderful things about your school community. We were overwhelmed by the efforts from everybody.”

Second Annual Sports Awards for HWS

The annual Hinchley Wood Sports Awards were introduced last year to recognise and celebrate students’ sporting achievements both within and outside school and the second ceremony, for the academic year 2014/15, was held on Friday 11 September. Special guest Maggie Alphonsi, one of the 2015 Women’s World Cup winning England Rugby team, presented prizes for sports ranging from rugby, football and netball to tennis, rounders and athletics. As well as acknowledging success and achievement, the awards aim to recognise commitment,

leadership and volunteering within sport. Over 50 prizes were awarded to students in Years 7 to 10, aged from 11 to 15 years, and included best all-rounder and highest achiever - or the BBC equivalent of Sports Personality of the Year – for each year group. Miss Wiscombe, head of PE and awards organiser, said: “We are proud of the breadth of sporting opportunities we can offer our students and we see the awards as an excellent way of acknowledging their participation, achievement and success.” WINTER 2015

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COMMUNITY

OLD CRANLEIGHAN RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB

Mini rugby’s got BIG. of September, with Rugby World Cup inspiration, membership has grown to over 400 and new members are registering every week. Boys and girls from the age of 6 are also competing in all local rugby tournaments, with the U10 squad winning the recent Weybridge Vandals Festival.

Training with the Tongan national side

Given the dismal performance of our men’s national team in the World Cup, it’s refreshing to see that our local rugby club, Old Cranleighan Rugby Football Club, continues to go from strength to strength, bucking the national trend which is seeing smaller rugby clubs dwindle. We all know how important exercise is for children these days,with our modern lifestyle becoming increasingly sedentary, and activities such as rugby are vitally important for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Most of the club’s growth is down to the stunning success of the mini rugby section on Sunday mornings. The fifth minis season kicked off in glorious sunshine with over 300 children aged from 4-12 coming down to hone their rugby skills. Since the start

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Head Coach for the U5s, Wendy Vincze, says: “The really nice thing about coaching for OCs is how rooted it is in the local community. The children I coach are the children who are in the playground and the coaches are all drawn from Thames Ditton and Hinchley Wood. As we are all volunteers, you know we’re all there because we really want to be and are very enthusiastic about the sport and the club.” OC coaches pop up across numerous local events from The Dittons Fair to the HInchley Wood fireworks. Many of the children playing rugby also have siblings playing hockey at the same time on Sundays, so either the whole family turn out or the better half gets a peaceful lie-in! The OC Rugby adult section is also benefitting from the boost given to the club by the minis with many of the dads and coaches making the transition from the touch rugby training sessions on a Thursday evening to full contact games for the club.

FEATURE

MARK JERMIN STAGE SCHOOL

CHARLIE BROOKS

The EastEnders Actress is helping attract West End talent to the Mark Jermin Stage School in Esher. Charlie Brooks, best known for her role in EastEnders, is patron of the Mark Jermin Stage School in Esher - a performing arts school based at Imber Court Sports Club in Esher which has gained an enviable record of students winning parts in stage, screen and television productions over the last two years. The school teaches acting, dancing and singing, running two classes every Saturday - a junior class for 4–7 year-olds and a class for 8–18 year- olds.

story-telling. Graham Lappin’s credits include Legally Blonde and Jesus Christ Superstar. Graham hosts singing workshops, providing pupils with invaluable advice and guidance gained from his experience as a musical director.

Charlie works with the classes herself and has attracted some of the most inspirational young musical and theatrical talent to assist her. Two West End stars have recently joined the team: Nia Jermin and Graham Lappin. Nia Jermin performed and trained at the Arts Educational School in West London. Her professional credits include Singin’ in the Rain, The Producers, South Pacific and Legally Blonde as well as a long list of TV credits, including Casualty and Doc Martin. Nia will be appearing in the touring production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, which comes to Woking next April. Nia’s pupils delve into the world of Roald Dahl’s book The Witches - a great opportunity for children to learn about characters, improvisation and

Charlie Brooks with the students

Enrolment is open every Saturday, but for further information about the stage school, its locations, times and prices and to register to join the school, visit www.markjermin.co.uk. WINTER 2015

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FEATURE

Busy

Izzy

IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE

CHRISTMAS

t’s when the Coca-Cola van first rumbles across my TV screen that I know it’s coming. Halloween has been tricked and treated and my flammable nylon witches costume has been discarded until next year. I do love Christmas and the long run up to it. Mulled wine, mince pies, Christmas parties, trees, decorations, carols… Ho ho ho and all the festive shenanigans that go with Santa and his reindeer. It’s all about traditions for me. Trying to recreate that magical atmosphere from when I was a kid. Although chocolate cigarettes found in stockings no longer exist and my kids just ‘don’t get’ the tangerine idea.

They may not like the tangerines in their stockings, but my kids do love going to the yearly Christingle Café held at the church. (Sun 13th Dec, 4.00pm). It involves threading lots of dolly mixtures and jelly tots onto cocktail sticks, stabbing them into an orange wrapped in a red ribbon and topped off with a candle!!! The best bit (apart from eating the sweets as you go along) is when the lights are turned down and all the candles are lit. The children are mesmerised and they get to have tea and cake afterwards. However Christingle candles are so small scale! My husband ordered a string of 1000 tiny white twinkling lights last year to try and out do the neighbours. Our cul-de-sac is getting better each year, as residents get light envy. We always go on walks in the dark to see which roads have the most lights switched on. End up one of your winter walks by 66

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WINTER 2015

having a mulled wine in a local pub. I find Marney’s Village Inn, tucked away on the other side of Hampton Court Way, very cosy in December for a hot tipple. It is in a lovely setting overlooking a pond and golf course. If you are a serious wine buff and are willing to travel the extra mile, Denbies Wine Estate in Dorking (the country’s largest Vineyard) has various children’s events on throughout Christmas and I’m told does a great mulled wine and mince pie. No Christmas is complete without that special trip to see Santa in his grotto. We have done the Santa train at the miniature railway and the grotto at Chessington Garden Centre, which this year is ‘Frozen’ themed. We are now looking forward to a trip to Painshill Park for the winter woodland walk, to see Santa in his Crystal Grotto! A lot of these get booked up well in advance, so pencil in your diary for next year. However Squires garden centre does have a free Grotto every weekend until 20th December. And if Santa’s ‘not your thing’ you can visit the cute reindeer at Garsons Farm until Christmas Eve. So all we need now is a bit of snow. And if we do get some, head to Stokes Field (behind Squires) or Telegraph Hill for a spot of sledging. Luckily Christmas does only come once a year, as there’s only so much mince pies and mulled wine I can take, and I couldn’t cope with the kids being that excited at a bedtime for more than one day a year.