SUMMER 2015
WALK THE WALK Take your kids on a summer adventure
MEET BOB FILBY A magnificent man. A magnificent life.
Hinchley Wood’s YouTube star
A COMMUNITY MAGAZINE BRINGING YOU THE NEWS & VIEWS FROM AROUND THE VILLAGE
ADVERTORIAL
ADVERTORIAL
WELCOME
CONTRIBUTORS Isobel Ash Busy Izzy Columnist I used to be a project manager in an advertising agency until I had children. Now I project manage the husband, house and kids whilst fitting in freelance work.
Lucinda Kidney Illustrator Hello! I’m a freelance Illustrator/Designer with a passion for Art. Also Mum to two busy and active boys.
Imina Wylde
Darren Salanson
Revenue & Marketing After 12 years in Hotel Marketing I ran my own Child-minding Business before returning to full time employment earlier this year. I am married with two children and an active member of St Christopher’s.
Photographer I’ve been a professional photographer for 22 years. I set up my own photography business in 2009 where I focus on family photos and weddings. I’m married with 3 children.
The Team Editor: Suzie Pepperell • Features Editor: Neville Thurlbeck • Bussy 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
KNOW A HINCHLEY WOOD HERO? Whether they’ve done something noteworthy like broken a world record or gone above and beyond to help the community, they could feature in our magazine. Simply email us with your nomination at office@stchristopherschurch.org.uk. Your name will also be entered into a prize draw for this amazing Spiral & Slice worth £20 kindly donated by Anne Morgan of Pampered Chef!! 04
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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
SPOTLIGHT
Out ‘N’ About Domenic Versace, Sam Butt & Ed Kevin
SUMMER BALL Hinchley Wood Primary School Las Vegas was the theme and Las Vegas was the scene! Parents turned out in their glamour and sparkle to enjoy an evening of fine food, a fantastic auction, casino and live music by Eddie Cullen plus DJ and dancing.
Lynne Johnson & Lisa Cabrera 06
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SUMMER 2015
Sarah & Richard Gibbs
Kirstin Holland
SPOTLIGHT
Penny & Melina Savvas
Molly, Caitlin, Caitlin & Sophie
THE DITTONS FAIR Giggs Hill Green Emily & Niamh
Mandy Ali
It wasn’t only the sunshine that turned up! Thousands of you came along to enjoy the Tombola, legendary Pig Racing, Crazy Golf, Dog Gymkhana, a hearty BBQ and much much more.
Jon Usher
Rachel & Ryan Herbert
COCKTAILS & CANAPES The Vicarage A very civilised evening shared by Hinchley Wood folk, sipping homemade Pina Coladas and Cosmopolitans and dipping strawberries into the chocolate fountain.
Alix Avory & Karen Wakefield
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FEATURE
Spotlight
BOB FILBY THE WAR HERO IN OUR MIDST Bob Filby is one of many Hinchley Wood residents with an interesting tale to tell. Neville Thurlbeck, the bell-ringer at St Christopher’s Church, profiles this extraordinary man.
T
he more I learn about Bob Filby’s long and fascinating life, the more I am struck by numbers. Some of these numbers are heroic and some are tragic. Others are romantic and some are downright bewildering. But all of them have a poignant tale to tell. For behind these numbers is Bob’s life story. A war hero decorated with the Military Cross and the Croix de Guerre by Field Marshall Montgomery and Charles de Gaulle. Chairman of Gordon’s Gin. One of the longest marriages you are likely to hear of. And he’s even got a cocktail named after him. First off, Bob is 91. And quite probably the fittest 91-year-old in Hinchley Wood. His handshake is famously a hearty bonecruncher – the firmest at St Christopher’s by a long way. Men 20 years younger with arthritis are advised to steer well clear during the Sharing of the Peace. There’s never been anything half-hearted about Bob. Bob was the youngest of 7 children in a family of Licensed Victuallers. His father
died when he was nine and his mother was left financially very badly off, but thanks to a Masonic connection, he was sent to the Royal Masonic School as a boarder. He loved it: playing rugby, hockey and water polo. Upon leaving school, Bob worked for the Licensed Victualler’s Protection Society. He had to collect the mail every morning from the local Post Office where a very pretty young lady called Joyce told him he had to pay a collection fee of 3 old pennies. Later, he found out that this charge was partly subsidising the cost of penny buns for the girls in the back office! Bob suggested that the punishment for this crime was that Joyce would have to come to the cinema with him. Courtship followed, and in February 1945, returning home on leave from the bloody fighting in Europe, he popped the question, believing his days were numbered. They weren’t, and the decision led to 69 years of happiness together. You could pick up the local newspaper for 20 years and never read of such a rare and wonderful personal milestone. Bob always says that one of his SUMMER 2015
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FEATURE
proudest achievements was that long and happy marriage. Joyce died in December last year, just a few weeks short of what would have been their platinum wedding anniversary. Joyce’s funeral took place at St Christopher’s and since then, Bob has renewed his acquaintance with his church and has been a regular and highly popular member of the congregation. The recent commemoration of the 70th anniversary of VE Day saw Bob dust off his row of medals for his usual round of functions. One of them, the Military Cross, was awarded “with immediate effect” by Montgomery for an act of outstanding bravery. The Croix de Guerre nestles discretely by its side. A rare combination awarded to the rarest of men. More of that later. After the war, Bob took a temporary post as a junior clerk with Gordon’s Gin. It led to a meteoric rise through the ranks, a distinguished 40 year career, finishing as Chairman. I imagine he was a tough and determined boss. But several secretaries from down the decades still gather around him during their occasional lunchtime gettogethers, which I think says rather a lot about the quality of his leadership. One of Bob’s top career highlights was when Gordon’s Gin sponsored the Laurence Olivier Awards. He played host to a galaxy of stage and screen stars, including Judi Dench, Mary Martin, Hinge and Bracket, Charlton Heston and Sir Michael Horden to name just a few. Part of his role as Chairman was to make a speech live on BBC2 at prime viewing time - he said it was more nerve-wracking than D-Day! A lifetime in the gin industry saw Bob receive another rare accolade – a cocktail named after him. The Filby was invented in 1978 by Peter Brennan, a bartender at the Mayfair Hotel in London, and it was the winner of an international cocktail competition in Paris. 10
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You can find the recipe on page 12. However, a word of warning here. I asked the bar steward at The Travellers Club to make me one recently. Rather like Bob’s handshake, two would be too many. On retirement, Bob took over Chairmanship of the Licensed Victualler’s National Homes, following in the footsteps of HRH Prince Philip and HRH The Duke of Kent. Supported by a wonderful team, and especially by Joyce, who was a tower of strength throughout, they raised £1.46 million in a single year - an unbeaten record! Finally, back to the war and those telling numbers again. During the D-Day landings, Bob arrived as part of an 800 strong battalion. He was the only platoon commander to survive. Occasionally, war calls upon ordinary men to do extraordinary things and Bob stepped forward to do just that. Finding himself and his platoon pinned down by murderous gunfire in Holland and with his comrades being slaughtered around him, Bob picked up his gun and charged. By the time he put it down, 10 Germans lay dead, saving the remaining section of his platoon and capturing the heart of the German defence. Bob was recommended for an “immediate” Military Cross by Montgomery. Like many of his generation, Bob is too modest to speak of the event. So we will let the citation do the talking. I asked my close friend Rob Paxman, an SAS veteran, to cast his eye over the MC citation. He said, “It is an extraordinary feat of bravery. It is very borderline Victoria Cross. The closest I’ve ever seen.” “During the attack on the most closely built up and most heavily defended part of Zetten on 20 January 1945 the commander of the assaulting company (‘A’ Company) was wounded during extremely fierce close quarter fighting and had to be evacuated. At this time the attack was held up by the very stubborn resistance of the enemy which
FEATURE
had caused heavy casualties to ‘A’ Company. Despite the confused nature of the fighting and the enemy’s close range accurate shooting, Captain Filby ran from Section to Section reorganising the company. “At least four men were hit accompanying Captain Filby on this most dangerous task but he carried on until his task was complete. “Captain Filby then organised a fresh attack with the remainder of ‘A’ Company on a strongpoint of well-defended houses. “He personally led the attack carrying a Bren [light machine] gun with which he killed at least 10 Germans during the assault. His fifth runner was carrying a PIAT [Projector Infantry Anti Tank] and throughout the action Captain Filby whilst commanding and leading his Company used with deadly effect either his Bren or PIAT. “Throughout the action which was most hotly contested, his example was an inspiration to the whole Company and it is certain that his courage, determination and skill were instrumental in the Company eventually capturing the heart of the defences of Zetten.
“On completing the capture of the objective, Captain Filby again personally dashed from house to house reorganising the position during which time he was narrowly missed by enemy snipers, bazookas and Spandaus [rapid fire machine guns] several times. The enemy counter-attacked fiercely and one of the houses previously held by ‘A’ Company was retaken by them. Captain Filby led his runner [bodyguard and messenger] and the remainder (3 men) of a Section and broke into the house killing or capturing the 9 German inside.” Throughout this very fierce and bloody fighting in houses and streets, Captain Filby’s inspired leadership set an example of courage, and determination, and skill which NOT only brought his Company to their objective but finally broke the crust of the enemy’s defence and his will to fight for the remainder of Zetten.” That citation is dotted with numbers which tell a tale of rare courage and sacrifice. But most of all, they tell us there’s only one Bob Filby. And we are fortunate now, as then, to have him among us.
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INSPIRATION
FOOD & DRINK
A class act
The Filby was created by Peter Brennan, a bartender from England, and won a Paris bartending competition in 1978. The name of “The Filby” was Peter’s way of honouring a great supporter of the United Kingdom Bartenders Guild and of the IBA, Bob Filby.
THE FILBY COCKTAIL INGREDIENTS 2 Parts Gin 1 Part Dry Vermouth 1 Part Amaretto 1 Part Campari
DIRECTIONS 1 Shake all ingredients with ice in a cocktail shaker 2 Strain into a chilled cocktail glass 3 Garnish with an orange peel and serve
INSPIRATION
FOOD & DRINK
Out of the Box Kingston Distillers first began to develop the recipe for Beckett’s Gin around two years ago. The aim was to create a classic London dry gin with a subtle twist and unique provenance. For the twist they infuse the gin with locallygrown mint, which had surprisingly not been used in gin before, particularly as they found it combines with juniper wonderfully.
handpick from Box Hill in Surrey with kind permission of the National Trust. In return they are undertaking a longterm conservation programme to help save juniper from local extinction.
Beckett’s Gin is unique in that it’s the only one in the world infused with English juniper berries which they
10% OFF A BOTTLE OF BECKETT’S The Good Wine Shop 11 Esher High Street Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Use by end of August 2015 SUMMER 2015
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INSPIRATION
FOOD & DRINK
Pimm’s O’Clock
Hosts and guests have been having a lot of fun at my Pampered Chef parties this summer and one of my favourites is the Cocktails ‘N’ Canapes themed parties which are perfect for this time of year! Here’s a lovely summery recipe for you to try out at home.
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INSPIRATION
PIMM’S CUPCAKES These Pimm’s cupcakes have a lovely surprise filling which is fruity ‘n’ fresh and are perfect to enjoy on a sunny afternoon!
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
Cupcakes 125g unsalted butter 125g caster sugar 3 tbsp Pimm’s No. 1 2 eggs 125g self raising flour ½ tsp baking powder 3 tbsp skimmed milk
1 To make the cupcakes, preheat the oven to 180c/160c fan/4. Line a muffin pan with cupcake cases.
Buttercream Icing 125g unsalted butter 2 tbsp Pimm’s No 1 250g icing sugar 2 tbsp skimmed milk
Place one level scoop into each case and bake for 2025 minutes. Remove cupcakes from tin and place on cooling rack.
Fruit Filling 3 strawberries 6 raspberries ½ slice peeled orange 3 slices peeled cucumber 5-6 mint leaves
Cream the butter, caster sugar and Pimm’s together in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Whisk the eggs together separately and add gradually to mixture. Add flour and baking powder and mix until fully combined.
2 To make the icing, cream the butter, Pimm’s and icing sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the milk and whisk again. Set aside. 3 To make the filling, remove the seeds from the cucumber with the Core ‘n’More. Place all the ingredients into the Manual Food Processor and pump handle until blended. 4 To assemble the cupcakes, remove the centre of each cupcake and fill with fruit filling then replace with the cake piece. Pipe the buttercream icing onto each cupcake and decorate with orange segment, raspberry or strawberry and mint sprig. Enjoy!
GET IN TOUCH WITH ANNE Never heard of Pampered Chef? We offer great quality kitchen tools which are practical and lovely to cook with. These are available through our in-home cooking parties or you can order direct from me. Hosting a party is really easy. They’re a good fun social, our recipes are simple but spectacular and of course we all get to eat what we’ve cooked! Plus Pampered Chef are very generous to hosts! So if you’d like to host your own party, coffee morning or Fundraiser, or if you have any questions, I’d love to hear from you: Anne Morgan, 07950 290535, Annie’s Pampered Chef Corner on facebook or www.pamperedchef/biz/annemorgan We also offer a very successful business opportunity where you can earn an extra £300–500 per month! Do call if you’d like to find out more. SUMMER 2015
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INSPIRATION
HOME & GARDEN
Pick-Your-Own It’s been a great start to the Pick-Your-Own season. At Garsons in Esher, the summer PYO crops include juicy strawberries, raspberries and cherries, French beans and carrots. New this season are PYO flowers that attract butterflies to the Farm. Some crops have a brief picking season, so do check online at garsons.co.uk for what’s currently available to pick.
a week and there’s free parking. Register online for PYO updates, offers and family-friendly events at garsons.co.uk. The PYO Farm is open from the first strawberries through to pumpkin picking in October.
Picking tips •
Pick your favourites while they’re bursting with freshness. Children love picking fruit, vegetables and flowers in the 150 acre fields. It’s a great family day out, and your hand-picked produce will taste delicious. Garsons has been growing since 1871. As well as being the biggest PYO farm in the country, it’s been judged PYO of the Year several times over. The PYO Farm, Garden Centre and Farm Shop are at Winterdown Road, West End, Esher. It’s open seven days
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• •
•
Wear old clothes so you needn’t worry about staining or snagging them. Only pick ripe, plump fruit to enjoy at its best. Handle the fruit carefully to avoid damage, especially raspberries and strawberries. When picking strawberries, cup your palm under the fruit and pinch it off from the stem. Cherries can also be picked from the stalks. Delay washing the fruit and removing the stems until you’re ready to eat.
INSPIRATION
HOME & GARDEN
Garden care
Summer is the time to sit back and enjoy the fruits of all your hard work in spring. There are some quick and easy ways to keep your garden looking at its best. Follow our tips to keep your garden beautiful and in bloom all summer long.
Love your lawn Top up your lawn’s nutrients with a summer feed to keep it green and lush. Many lawns will green up within days, so apply it a few days before you entertain at the weekend!
Flowers and fruit For abundant flowers, water on a liquid fertiliser and deadhead regularly. Feed tomatoes weekly, once the first fruits appear, for more tomatoes and better flavour.
Eradicate pesky weeds Hand weeding can be a chore, especially when it’s hot. Use a spray weedkiller instead to kill weeds down to the roots.
COMMUNITY
ST. CHRISTOPHER’S CHURCH & THE COMMUNITY HUB
What’s happened... Throughout 2015 there have been various events at St. Christopher’s Church & Community Hub. The Quiz Night on 18th April was, as usual, a sell-out. The new Quiz Master was deemed a success and some £1,000 was raised. A family BBQ took place at the Vicarage on 17th May, with fun and games for all the family. Later that week a Cocktails & Canapes event was also held at the Vicarage. Both events were blessed with good weather, despite May’s changeability, and everyone enjoyed themselves. The chocolate fountain was a particular success - thankfully nobody was tempted to jump into it á la Dawn French so it was enjoyed by us all! You can see pictures from some of these events in the ‘Spotlight’ feature.
Every dog has his day... …For Otto Kronenberg that day was Friday, 12th June, when John and Philippa Kronenberg held their Talent Challenge event, a Pimms & Strawberries evening, at the Vicarage. The evening was a great success, raising over £400 from their initial outlay of £20. Everyone had a fun time, with luscious strawberries covered in cream and everylasting jugs of Pimms served personally by Revd. Kronenberg, who kept all our glasses filled. The highlight of the evening was the auction of a beautifully-decorated popcorn cake donated by Celia Francis. A pitched battle between Revd. Kronenberg and Bob Filby was ultimately won by Bob who, magnanimous in his victory, donated the cake to be served after Sunday’s church service so that everyone could enjoy it. Sadly, Otto had other ideas! One can only imagine John and Philippa’s horror on discovering the cake with a huge bite taken out of it… and Otto, tail wagging, with cake around his mouth, trying to look innocent… John’s confession in church was met with laughter, and the replacement chocolate cake enjoyed by all… but I’m sure I wasn’t the only one thinking wistfully about the cake that got away…
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COMMUNITY
ST. CHRISTOPHER’S CHURCH & THE COMMUNITY HUB
Hustings In an effort to engage more voters, given the importance of this year’s General Election, an Election Forum was held at St. Christopher’s Church on Friday, 17th April.
The candidates from all the main parties attended – Andrew Davis for the Liberal Democrats; Francis Eldergill for Labour; Olivia Palmer for the Green Party; Nicholas Wood from UKIP and, of course, Dominic Raab for the Conservative Party. Della Reynolds, standing as an Independent Citizen, also attended. The Forum followed a ‘Question Time’ format, with local historian Roger Thompson channelling Sir Robin Day in his role as Chairman. Each candidate gave a brief (or not so brief!) introduction to his/her background and the policies of their own party, after which questions were invited from the floor. Roger Thompson was an excellent Chair, ensuring that none of the candidates strayed from the point. Questions were asked on subjects varying from childcare, cycling and housing to the NHS and the proposed changes to Hinchley Wood Ward boundaries. There is very strong opposition to the Boundary Commission’s plans to split Hinchley Wood between Weston Green and Long Ditton Wards and this appeared to take some of the candidates by surprise.
Although the Hustings did not appear to make a difference nationally, with Dominic Raab returned once again, the turnout of 73.1% of the electorate bucked the national trend. The local Council elections, which were held at the same time, showed a significant level of support for the local Residents’ Association candidate, Janet Turner, who stood on a platform of opposition to the Boundary Commission’s plans. She achieved a stunning 77.7% of the vote against the local Conservative candidate – some 2,208 votes out of a total of 3,901 eligible voters. The Boundary Commission has now published it’s recommendations, which can be viewed at https://consultation.lgbce. org.uk/node/4438. The current eightweek consultation period finishes on 24th August 2015. The Boundary Commission is proposing to conjoin Hinchley Wood with Weston Green with the loss of Lynwood Road development. Hinchley Wood residents are urged to look at their proposals and send any comments to the Boundary Commission before 24th August. SUMMER 2015
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COMMUNITY
ST. CHRISTOPHER’S CHURCH & THE COMMUNITY HUB
Going Green
Exciting plans to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and embrace cleaner renewable energy are some of the ideas gathering pace at St Christopher’s Community Hub.
The Community Hub Eco Fund was launched in 2014 and has so far raised £14,500 towards a range of major improvements. These include generating solar power, upgrading to more efficient heating systems, better quality lighting using less energy, and quantities of thermal insulation to reduce heat loss through external surfaces. Says Mark Schuringa, who is responsible for overseeing the financial aspects of the Community Hub, “The new technologies are better for the environment, reducing harmful carbon dioxide emissions. They help reduce the running costs of the buildings and we will be better able to respond to the different 22
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temperatures and ambiences required by the variety of hirers who use the buildings.” Tim Blair, Project Co-ordinator for the forthcoming building works is delighted by the response so far to the Eco Fund Capital Appeal. “We appeal to everyone in the village to continue to help us raise the additional £12,000 we need, which would be a brilliant achievement! We are hugely thankful to Surrey County Council and Elmbridge Borough Council (and others) who have agreed to provide significant funding for the Community Hub, so we are nearly there! Just one more big push this summer will do it.”
COMMUNITY
ST. CHRISTOPHER’S CHURCH & THE COMMUNITY HUB
Talent Challenge Members of St. Christopher’s Church congregation will again be helping to raise funds for the Eco project. Last year’s Talent Challenge, which was an amazing success, is being repeated again this year. Once again members of the congregation have been given £10 and challenged to use their talents to ‘grow’ it – this time primarily to enable the replacement of the old, inefficient and eco-unfriendly boilers with a new, more efficient and ecologically-friendly heating system. Anyone who has shivered in church during a sudden cold snap will appreciate the need for an ‘intelligent’ system which recognises the need to switch on automatically when the temperature plunges! This year’s brief is to work collaboratively and various groups are planning activities throughout the summer and early Autumn. Look out for posters advertising the various events on the church
railings and in Hinchley Wood village. The results of our fundraising efforts will be brought to the Harvest Festival service on 4th October.
Coming up...
In addition, St. Christopher’s Church and Community Hub hosts many events throughout the week in both the Church and Hall. Two exciting new events have recently begun in the church and are open to all preschool children. The Creation Station on Tuesday mornings is a craft-led activity for babies and toddlers; Ballet Bugs on Friday mornings is a fun, informal dance class using songs and nursery rhymes for preschool children. We also have Film Matinees on the 2nd Friday of each month, where children can come and enjoy films such as ‘Open Season’, ‘Frozen’ and ‘Stuart Little 2’. An added bonus for parents is the option of hot dogs for tea! From September ‘Elevate Eleven’, who specialise in tutoring older children, will be joining the list of weekly activities in the church.
There are several exciting events coming up in the church, such as the Patronal celebrations on Sunday, 26th July which include a celebratory service in the church followed by a BBQ at the Vicarage. November will be a busy month, with the ever-popular Quiz Night on Saturday, 7th November; Reading Phoenix Choir are returning on Saturday, 14th November for a concert and on Saturday, 21st November the church will be hosting a ‘Shopping Event’. Details of all these events will be on St. Christopher’s Church website (www.stchristopherschurch. org.uk), or by contacting Mandy Ali in the Parish Office on: 020 8398 9095. 26
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Among the fundraising activities to look forward to will be the unmissable Salsa Ball taking place on Saturday, 19th September. Dust off your dancing shoes for a night of Latino music, dancing, food and drink. Tickets can be booked through the St. Christopher’s Church website (www. stchristopherschurch.org.uk) or by ringing Mandy Ali in the Parish Office (020 8398 9095). Tickets are £25 per person but we offer an Early Bird discount of £5 if you book before September.
COMMUNITY
ST. CHRISTOPHER’S CHURCH & THE 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: 1st Monday each month:
Zumba with Maria Mitchell (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 Church) Women’s Wednesday Fellowship (7:30pm at Hinchley Wood School) Please note: the September meeting has been swapped from 23rd to the 30th
Thursdays: 9:15am: 6:00pm: 7:30pm:
Zumba with Maria Mitchell (Church) Weight Watchers (Hall) Music Practice (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 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. SUMMER 2015
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COMMUNITY
ST. CHRISTOPHER’S CHURCH & THE COMMUNITY HUB
Moving on After nearly 10 years at St Christopher’s, Revd John Kronenberg reflects on leaving Hinchley Wood.
It’s been a very difficult decision to move on from Hinchley Wood, but I have felt for a while that it’s the right time to hand on the baton. Why? Well, simply because I see people doing so many good things! The Congregation is growing and increasingly varied. People are contributing new initiatives - this new magazine is a great example. There are exciting grant funded projects about to begin including photovoltaic panels, fire alarm systems and new car parking. The new web site is about to go live, children’s film matinees, Sunday lunches at Georgie’s and Summer Balls all show that the Church is full of life and the Community Hub a great success. St Christopher’s Church has excellent Churchwardens, Tracey Warren and Mark Schuringa, an enthusiastic Parochial Church Council, an experienced Curate, Caroline Mullins, a very busy Parish Administrator, Mandy Ali and an active congregation to ensure the church continues to flourish until 28
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the new Vicar arrives. So, now is exactly the right time, when things are on the up, to hand over to someone with new ideas and skills to lead St Christopher’s through the next stage of its development “Forging Community and Sharing God’s Love”, as our mission statement says. I’m full of confidence for St Christopher’s future and it will be with mixed feelings and a little sadness that Philippa and I say “au revoir” to our many friends in Hinchley Wood. My last Sunday at St Christopher’s will be Sunday 20th September, the day after the Salsa Ball – which seems like a good way to bow out! My Induction by the Bishop of Southwark at St John the Evangelist, Redhill will be at 7.30pm on Wednesday 18th November and all are welcome.
COMMUNITY
ST. CHRISTOPHER’S CHURCH & THE 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 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: Midweek Communion
1st Friday of the Month at 3.30pm: Messy Church
3rd Sunday of the Month at 3.00pm: Mustard Seeds
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 & THE COMMUNITY HUB
Sharing God’s work Vicar
PCC Secretary
Reverend John Kronenberg The Vicarage, 98 Manor Road North vicar@stchristophershinchleywood.org.uk 020 8786 6391 (Day Off : Tuesday)
Heather Allen
Curate
Ivan Burnside, Sean Warren
Reverend Caroline Mullins 1 Chesterfield Drive, Hinchley Wood Rev.carolinemullins@gmail.com 020 8224 3334 (Day Off: Monday)
Sacristy Team
Pastoral Assistant
Philippa Kronenberg
Margaret Thompson 020 8398 4156
GodZone Sunday School
Parish Administrator
Jane Barnett
Mandy Ali
Stay & Play
Parish Office
Wednesday mornings 9:30am-11:15am For pre-school children and parents, grandparents and all carers.
Open 9:00-13:00pm, 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 020 8398 0657 Eileen Griffiths 020 8398 6168 Suzie Pepperell 07980665427
020 8339 0850
Gift Aid Administrator Moira Bearshall
020 8398 9095
Servers Team Hilda Highley, John Kronenberg, Caroline Mullins
Band and Choir Leader 020 8398 4082
Mothers’ Union Branch Contact: Philippa Kronenberg 020 8786 6391, pcf.kronenberg@btinternet.com Contact Parish Office Branch Secretary: Suzie Pepperell Branch Treasurer: Moira Beardshall
Women’s Wednesday Fellowship Jean Hayes Maureen Price
020 8398 1914 020 8398 2561
Parochial Church Council
Church & Hall Bookings
Heather Allen, Moira Beardshall, Tim Blair, Ann Ellis, Celia Francis, Eileen Griffiths, Liz Hammond, Suzie Pepperell, Margaret Thompson, Neville Thurlbeck, Rachel Herbert
Mandy Ali in the Parish Office Or Email: office@stchristopherschurch.org.uk
Deanery Synod Representatives Liz Hammond & Suzie Pepperell
Parish Magazine Team Advertising: Imina Wylde/Rachel Herbert Editorial: Suzie Pepperell Production & Distribution: Mandy Ali Email: office@stchristopherschurch.org.uk
www.stchristopherschurch.org.uk SUMMER 2015
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COMMUNITY
MOTHER’S UNION
Busy busy busy
The Hinchley Wood MU have been busy! In March we collected hundreds of easter eggs for the refuges in the Guildford Diocese, which were very well received. We also gave three entire ‘new baby’ kits to ladies who were in dire need: and we mean entire: everything from baby-grows to prams! An amazing response to our appeals is always guaranteed from the community in Hinchley Wood so thank you to everyone who helped!!
At Easter we enrolled two new members; Christa Peasey and Rachel Herbert. In March, Beth Shutt, who co-ordinates our donations to the womens’ refuges came and spoke to us about how they operate and where out donations go. In April we held a discussion on the influence of the internet and increased commercialisation in all of our lives, and in May we had another of our popular ‘desert island’ nights, where people brought along favourite pieces of music, poems or pictures and shared what they love about them.
A BIT ABOUT US.... The Mothers’ Union is an international Christian charity that aims to demonstrate the Christian faith in action through the transformation of communities worldwide. Working with people of all faiths and none in 83 countries,we promote stable marriage, family life and the protection of children through praying, enabling and campaigning. The Hinchley Wood branch meets on the second Wednesday evening of the month for social events, talks, discussion groups and activities. Contact Philippa Kronenberg if you’d like to join us on 020 8786 6391. 32
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COMMUNITY
WOMEN’S WEDNESDAY FELLOWSHIP
From Mr Darcy to The Chocolate Man We too have had a busy time. In February we heard from Maureen Stiller from the ‘Jane Austen Society’: she read us extracts from Jane’s letters, describing the time she spent travelling though our area - she was of the opinion that Kingston was more pleasant than Battersea or Clapham. Following on from that very enjoyable talk, we went to see ‘Pride and Prejudice’ performed at the Vera Fletcher Hall. In March, we heard from the two Pastoral Assistants at St Christopher’s Church, Margaret Thompson and Liz Hammond, who talked about their work within the community. Margaret has just finished her training and Liz has moved to Hinchley Wood from Southwark Diocese where she has worked as a PA for many years. And finally, just after Easter, Chris Bachmann, from Bachmann’s Patisserie, aka ‘The Chocolate Man’ came along to talk to us about the patisserie, now in it’s 25th year at Winter’s Bridge. Chris gave a talk about the history of chocolate and the art of the chocolatier, and brought along a huge array of different types of chocolate to touch, smell and taste! He also donated a large decorated easter Egg for us to raffle for our 2015 charity, which is Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY for short).
GET IN TOUCH.... The Womens’ 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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FEATURE
60 SECONDS WITH...
James Heptonstall
The environmental consultant, 30, on running and conquering YouTube How often and how long (distance and time) do you train? Recently I have been training with the England team for the Touch Rugby World Cup. I train up to 6 times a week and there are a mixture of gym, track, and skills sessions. One of our running sessions will be 4x1km with 1:1 rest and my times for the 1kms would be around 3.15 minutes. It’s great running these sessions with the team as you push each other to get your times down.
What other sports do you participate in?
How did you get into running? I have been into running since I can first remember, with some of my earliest memories being of my school sports days at Thames Ditton Infants School. I really got into athletics when I joined 34
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Kingston Athletics Club and Polytechnic Harriers when I was 10. I trained with the club and competed for my school, club, university, Surrey and the South of England in a variety of track and field events, eventually focussing on Long Jump as my main event.
As I mentioned my main sport is now Touch Rugby. I switched from Long Jump and started playing touch in 2010 for a club and was fortunate enough to be selected for England in 2012, making my international debut at the European Championships in Treviso, Italy.
Have you travelled with the sports you participate in? Yes, with my athletics I have been to numerous athletics tracks across the UK, but a stand-out tour
FEATURE
was when I travelled to the USA with the University of Birmingham Athletics Team to compete against some of the Ivy League universities, including Harvard and Yale. More recently I travelled with the England Touch Rugby team to Treviso, Italy for the 2012 European Championships; to Dublin, Ireland for the 2013 Home Nation Championships; and to Coffs Harbour, Australia for the 2015 World Cup, where we finished 10th in the world.
What made you decide to race the tube? It was a conversation I had over a beer with my friend, Noel Carroll, who I went to University with. We had both recently got GoPro cameras and were keen to film some sort of sporting challenge. We were partly inspired by the Top Gear challenges where a car races public transport, and it got us thinking about whether we could outrun a form of public transport. I started studying the London Underground map and came up with some potential stations to race between.
How often did you have to attempt race the tube until it was film perfect? A lot of people ask me this. The film on YouTube is actually my first attempt! I didn’t do any practice runs.
How do you rate YouTube as a media platform? YouTube is great. It’s very user friendly. I set up my YouTube channel Epic Challenges and my Race The Tube video is the first video I uploaded, so I was pretty chuffed and amazed to get 6 million views for the video.
What has YouTube notoriety brought with it? (Interviews? Sponsorship? Payment per view?) When the video went viral I was contacted by lots of journalists including BBC, Sky News, The Times, Daily Mail and many more, including Network 9 in Australia for whom I did a live video link interview on their morning news show. Some of the best people who have got in contact with us are those via
social media whio’ve said the video has inspired them to start running or set themselves their own challenges. Since Race The Tube we’ve continued to launch further videos on our YouTube channel, Epic Challenges. Our best experience by far was going to New York. Adidas got in contact with us as they loved the video, and they invited us out to New York for three days for the launch of their latest trainer. We used the opportunity to film ‘Race The Subway’ where I took on the NYC subway in a similar one-stop race.
What’s next? Noel and I are continuing to grow our YouTube channel and will be launching some new videos soon. We are currently in planning but also love to hear people’s suggestions for potential challenges so please contact us via Twitter (@ jhepto) and YouTube (Epic Challenges) with your ideas! SUMMER 2015
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COMMUNITY
GIRLGUIDING
Girl power
Girlguiding enables girls and young women to develop their potential and to make a difference to the world. In Hinchley Wood we provide for the following groups of girls:
Rainbows Rainbows are girls aged 5 to 7 who can take part in lots of different activities when they follow the Rainbow Jigsaw programme.
Brownies Brownies are girls aged seven to ten who follow a programme called the Brownie Adventure. Brownies opens up a world of exciting challenges and the opportunity to try new things.
Guides Guides are girls aged 10 to 14 who are given the chance to explore their individual skills and abilities and try new challenges as part of a team. Girls can get involved in anything from adventure sports to performing arts.
The Senior Section The Senior Section offers young women aged 14 to 25 the opportunity to develop their skills and abilities through a flexible and inspiring programme which offers a huge variety of challenges, activities and opportunities for personal development.
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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 SUMMER 2015
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COMMUNITY
1st HINCHLEY WOOD SCOUT GROUP
Going for gold
The Scouts took on local rivals as they set off on the Surrey County Expedition Challenge as part of their Duke of Edinburgh award.
Our Duke of Edinburgh expedition was like no other! To our surprise, we were in a competition against an abundance of other Scout Groups. So as well as completing the expedition in good time, you also had to impress the various scout leaders sauntering around the campsite with your: cooking, washing-up, team morale, team equipment, your route plan and much more! Easier said than done, especially after getting up too early each morning and eating packaged food for several days!
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There were seven of us making up 1st Hinchley Wood’s Scout team: Thomas, Sebastian, Callum, Nissan, Stewart, Luke and Albert. It was really good fun especially the fact that we had to do it all by ourselves and it gave us confidence in ourselves to complete such a challenge. During the expedition we had to complete checkpoints and we were marked for various competencies. Overall our team came third out of 20+ teams and we won a Gold award. What a great result.
COMMUNITY
May Fair
IN BRIEF...
Explorers win National Trophy Back in March 1st Hinchley Wood entered 6 teams for the challenging 4-Inns Walk, a tough competitive 65k hike across the Peak District. This hike, which has to be completed within 24 hours, is entered by teams from all over the UK and even some from abroad. This year there were just under 100 teams competing. Despite the competition our Explorers managed to retain the trophy for the fastest team with all team members under 25 years, beating their previous year’s time by 20 minutes; coming in after exactly 15 hours of continuous walking.
Go East Thank you to everyone who came and supported our May Fair in the Memorial Gardens. This was a great success and raised over £2000 for our Group funds. These funds help us to put on a huge variety of activities and enable us to purchase new equipment as well as train our Leaders to deliver these activities.
At the end of July two members of our Scout Group will be off to Japan to represent the UK at the 23rd World Scout Jamboree with a third member going in a leadership capacity, helping out as part of the International Service Team. Besides spending 10 days at the Jamboree they will also be taking part in Ho-Ho (Home Hopitality), staying with Japanese Scout Families and having the chance to see Tokyo. More details about their visit will be in the next edition of this magazine.
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 SUMMER 2015
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COMMUNITY
LANTERN SURGERY
SUMMER SUN SAFETY
Young children’s skin is very delicate and can easily be damaged by the sun. It is therefore important to apply a high factor sunscreen regularly when outside. Even sunscreens that are ‘waterproof’ should be reapplied after swimming or playing in water.
People with lots of moles or freckles are also at higher risk of sun damage. High factor sunscreens, clothing and shade should be used to prevent direct exposure to the sun. If you do notice any changes with moles such as increasing size, changing colour or itching or bleeding, you should report this to your doctor straight away. Higher temperatures during the summer months can increase risks
of dehydration and heat exhaustion. Young babies, people over the age of 75 and those with chronic conditions are most at risk. Tips to reduce the risk of overheating include avoiding the sun between 11am and 3pm, drinking plenty of cool fluids, avoiding alcohol and wearing loose clothing and a hat outdoors. If you are aware of any elderly neighbours or friends who are less able to look after themselves, please check on them during periods of hot weather to ensure that they are kept cool and well hydrated. More information about summer safety can be found on the NHS Choices website www.nhs.uk
DID YOU KNOW... Lantern Surgery is regrettably no longer viable on its own. Following consultations with The Grove Medical Practice, Dr Susan Kearsey is delighted to announce plans to join forces with her friend and colleague of over 25 years, Dr Jeremy Harris. This will enable all services currently provided to 42
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continue in Hinchley Wood with additional doctors and nurses. We are excited about the additional benefits that this will provide for our patients and would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their continued loyalty and support.
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.
FEATURE
THE RAILWAY COMETH Roger Thompson looks at local history and the evolution of the trains and stations of the area
I
was lucky enough when young to be taught by Professor Jack Simmons the well-known industrial and railway historian. He was strongly of the view that we could divide the development of railways in the nineteenth century into two phases. Phase one during the 1830’s and 40’s was based largely on local and national interests such as mines, factories and links between cities and followed immediately on from the technological developments by Stephenson, Brunel and others. The second phase from the 1860’s onwards was based upon a surfeit of disposable income in the English middle classes who had too few opportunities to invest their wealth and welcomed any new development. The arrival of the railway in our area reflects the division of dates, if not the motives. During the Napoleonic Wars concerns had been expressed about the wisdom of transporting goods landed at Southampton by water, through the English Channel. It was thought that this method was far too vulnerable to sea-borne attack in times of trouble. Consequently when a line was proposed from Southampton to Nine Elms in London via Woking it received significant parliamentary support and a bill enabling its establishment was passed in 1834. Despite a number of troubles, mainly due to an underestimate of costs (not a new phenomenon) the line was finished by 1840. There were two stations in our area: Kingston station, which was actually sited in Surbiton, nowhere near today’s Kingston and Surbiton stations, and Ditton Marsh, which was to
become Esher station. Waterloo became the terminus when the line was extended to a site near Waterloo Bridge. In 1849 an extension was built to Hampton Court. This, like most of the lines in our area, was raised on an embankment as at that time much of the area was marshland; hence the name Ditton Marsh. Another line was built to connect Guildford to Woking. This provided a link, albeit a long one, between Guildford and London. In the 1880s the Metropolitan Railway Company put forward a proposal to build a direct line from London to Guildford via Kingston. The then London and Southwestern Company responded with a successful plan to use the existing line from Waterloo through Wimbledon and then on to Guildford. The Waterloo to Guildford via Cobham line had begun. In order to build the line, an enormous amount of work had to be done at the point where the line branched off to Hampton Court. This became the Hampton Court Junction and involved the construction of a series of viaducts as most of the lines were raised. To this day the junction deals with a significant quantity of rail traffic. In 1916 the line was electrified from Waterloo to Claygate and in 1925 all the way to Guildford. So far there has been no mention of Hinchley Wood station. This was not to be built until 1930 but that’s another story. SUMMER 2015
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EDUCATION
HINCHLEY WOOD PRIMARY SCHOOL
School values
Pupils at Hinchley Wood Primary School (HWPS) worked in partnership with Kerry Greene, of Magpie Makes, to create an exhibition of artwork based on their school values.
One of the leading examples of a values based school in the UK, HWPS has held the Quality Mark for Values Based Education since 2009 and they renewed this in Autumn last year. The values, which were chosen by staff, parents, pupils and governors, are embraced by the whole school community and central to the life of the school. Last year pupils demonstrated the values of cooperation and friendship, working within their classes to produce large-scale collages and paintings depicting some of their school values. Whilst these continue to decorate 48
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the corridors, pupils were eager to bring to life the remaining school values using a range of mediums, and to display these works in a more prominent position so that they could be enjoyed and celebrated by all. As a result of this, the pupils at HWPS spent a week working with Kerry on a range of projects including fashion design, sewing and book illustration. For example: Year Two received inspiration and advice from the Head of Design at a children’s publishing house and demonstrated the values of understanding and knowledge by creating
EDUCATION
book covers and 3D sculptures using paper mache. Throughout the school, pupils were given the opportunity to work independently and collaboratively with their peers, teachers and parent helpers, therefore demonstrating many of the school values. The pupils’ hard work culminated in an art exhibition, curated by Year Five, which was
well-attended by parents and the Surrey Advertiser; Cass Art store also subsidised prizes for outstanding pieces. Following the exhibition, the pieces were displayed in the reception area of the school, providing visitors with a warm welcome and a wonderful illustration of the inclusive ethos of the school.
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EDUCATION
HINCHLEY WOOD PRIMARY SCHOOL ASSOCIATION
ALL PULLING IN THE SAME DIRECTION Welcome to Hinchley Wood Primary School Association. Throughout the school year, the HWPSA volunteer committee organises a diverse and wide range of activities, some internal to the school such as children’s discos and fashion shows, but also larger events such as our Fireworks night and the Summer Fair (pictured) which are open to the wider community. Recently we held a spring ball where circa 200 parents, dressed up in black tie and gowns, were able to let their hair down and dance the night away. Through such events, the funds raised are used to enable the school to buy equipment and services that directly benefit our children and enhance their learning environment but would otherwise be out of reach. Over the years we have introduced new computers and a new after-school club facility, which included a fully equipped music room and a kitchen in order that food could be supplied.
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The old school pond, which had become overrun, was cleared out and a new pump and plants introduced. Now the pond has become part of the curriculum as it is used to watch how wildlife such as tadpoles grow. Beside the pond, a new Eco plot has been opened where the children can plant and watch things grow before picking them to take home. Having a sense of being part of the local community is key, and that is why we are keen to involve local businesses and the wider community in our activities. We always try to use local suppliers as we believe the produce is of the highest quality. These relationships are important as they allow us to involve the community in all we do. Hopefully we will see some of you at our events and if you do, please come and say hello to the volunteers.
EDUCATION
HINCHLEY WOOD SCHOOL
Sporting success
Hinchley Wood School has kicked off the summer sporting season with some excellent results
On the tennis court the boys have been racking up some great results, particularly as the school only took up competitive tennis in the last couple of years. The Year 7 and 8s (aged 11-13 years) recently secured back to back wins against Reeds School and went on to a narrow 7-6 victory over Lingfield Notre Dame and a resounding 12-0 win against Trinity. In the older age group, with the Year 9 and 10 team, the fortunes were reversed, winning 12-0 at Lingfield Notre Dame and taking a narrow loss, 7-6, to Trinity. More recently, two of Hinchley Wood’s most talented athletes, Sophie and Sam Mace, continued their winning ways at the recent Surrey County Championships. Sophie, aged 16 years, won both the discus and the hammer events; her throw of 53.54 metres in the hammer achieved Championship Best Performance and set a new Surrey Record! Brother Sam, aged 52
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UK No.1: Sam Mace (centre)
14 years, also set Championship Best Performances for the hammer and discus on top of which he took silver in the shot put; Sam’s discus distance of 43.41 metres puts him at number one in the UK rankings! In the Central Surrey Athletics tournament at the Kingsmeadow Athletic Stadium, the Year 8 and 9 boys achieved a very respectable second place out of 11 teams on a rain shortened day, with notable individual performances from Sam Shaw, Seb Collins, Max Parkinson, Ashley Ram, Alex Burrows, Josh Smith, Johnny Haynes, Sam Fanning, Dom Williams and Max Heasman.
EDUCATION
Fundraising for others The school community, including students, staff and governors, has raised an incredible £1,670 for the Nepal Disaster Fund. When combined with other fundraising for link schools in Gulu, Uganda and over £3000 raised by 20 staff cycling from London to Brighton on 21st June in aid of the British Heart Foundation, total funds raised for charity this year will be well in excess of £10,000!!
Thanks to another great all-round effort, Hinchley Wood has secured its third Eco Schools Green Flag, the highest award attainable in the international award programme that promotes sustainability within schools – the actual green flag can be seen flying proudly outside the school building.
DID YOU KNOW... Hinchley Wood is one of four secondary schools working with Surrey County Council and the National Autistic Society to provide a specialist centre which will allow high functioning students with autism to stay in mainstream education. Thanks to funding from the Cullum Family Trust the school is
hoping to establish an “NAS Cullum Centre” within the existing building footprint. A planning application has been submitted to Elmbridge Borough Council with a decision expected before the end of the academic year. SUMMER 2015
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FEATURE
Busy
Izzy
WALK THE WALK
Y
es the summer holidays are nearly upon us. In the past, I have made the mistake of over-organising the holidays with almost every day booked up with playdates, day-trips and other activities. I’ve since realised it’s much better to chill out and not try to do too much, although spontaneity is not one of my stronger points, I’m more of an organisational robot.
the emergency services to rescue them off the steep muddy banks.
I’m a big fan of walking and that doesn’t take too much organising! All kids love walking. Well ok, it’s not necessarily my four year old’s favourite pastime. Instead of a guided walk, it can end up more like a bribed walk, Hansel and Gretel style. No I don’t mean leaving them in the woods, but sweetie trails are involved. So here are a few ideas of walks I have dragged the kids on.
Obviously we have Bushy Park, with numerous different areas to explore. It’s also great for taking the kids’ scooters or bikes, as there are lots of safe paths to follow. The best bits of Bushy, for me, are the beautiful Woodland Gardens, the Pheasantry Cafe and the walk around Heron Pond (near the playground car park).
For me it’s not necessarily about the walk, but about where you end up… the pub of course! One of my favourite walks is up over Telegraph Hill, down into Claygate, to the Hare & Hounds. This is a great place as they do a good kids menu and have a fab outside play area. According to my ‘Fitbit’ it’s 1.7 miles from the bottom of Telegraph Hill to the Hare & Hounds! Hopefully it should be nice and dry unlike the quagmire I tried to steer Granny and Grandad through in February half term. I thought I was going to have to call 54
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We are lucky to have numerous other walks nearby, from Littleworth Common (ending up at Café Rouge), to Arbrook Common (ending up at the Fairmile), or simply the paths through the woods on Portsmouth Road either side of the railway bridge (ending up at The Greyhound).
Last, but not least, it’s easy to forget that we live so close to the River Thames and a Royal Palace. You can simply enjoy walks up and down the towpaths, from Hampton Court Bridge down towards Kingston or up towards Hurst Park and the cafes and restaurants on Bridge Road are fabulous. Although you have to pay to go into the Palace gardens in season, The Wilderness (meadows) just within the walls are free to access and they really are beautiful.