worcester park life issue 33 feb 2011

WorcesterPark Life

www.wplife.co.uk

Inside this month...WIN The King’s Speech shoppersWPark history ‘Up the Avenue’Local cat charity asks for supportSafer Neighbourhood informationClubs, what’s on, recipe, puzzles, gardening and much more...

freeFeb 11 No 33

KT4’s independent community magazine

2 Please remember to mention when you speak to our advertisersWorcesterPark Life

Village Voicenew malden sWorcester

Park LifeI never come down the same way I go [email protected]

FUN

D R

AIS

ING I never come down the same way I go up

To advertise in email [email protected] or call 020 8336 2915WorcesterPark Life

WorcesterPark Life

3

3

I never come down the same way I go upby Robin Gill

WO

RC

ES

TER

PA

RK

LIFE

Wimbledon

IndependentInsuranceAdvice

If you need Car, Van or Home Insurance and you’re looking for a friendly, local, personal service together with competitive prices, the new A-Plan branch in Wimbledon is the place to call.

Can we save you money?On your Car, Van or Home Insurance

0208 944 4121www.aplan.co.uk/wimbledon

Visit the branch at52 Wimbledon Hill RoadWimbledonSW19 7PA

Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority



Park Life

The next edition will be available in the Libraries, Waitrose, John James, the Police office and other outlets from 5th March 2011Next copy deadline: 17th FebruaryPublished byMalden Media Limited36 Rosebery Avenue, KT3 4JSE: [email protected]: 020 8336 2915www.wplife.co.uk

Also publishing the Village Voice

in New Malden

Read our stories atwww.slimmingworld.com

Join a warm and friendly group near you today...

www.slimmingworld.com0844 897 8000

Welcome to February’s Worcester Park [email protected]

editorfrom the

Articles7 History Up The Avenue... continues 10 Ruth Jemmett Thoughts for St Valentines Day12 GardeningCrocuses 20 CharitiesCan you give a cat a home? 29 Hair todayThe beox professional blowdry 31 Age concernIndependent living – whatever your age!32 ValentineCelebrate in Worcester Park36 GardeningProtecting Trees38 RecipeFive Spice Chicken with Soy and Honey Sauce44 Make ours a Safer NeighbourhoodA timely reminder45 Dad’s DiaryYou are taking them WHERE?

Local Information34 What’s On 40 Clubs 42 Toddler groups 43 Useful Information46 Business Index

Puzzles18 Quick Quiz22 Codeword27 Number Cruncher

Competition17 Win ‘The Kings Speech’ shoppers

At the beginning of January I had an email from a lady for whom Christmas 2010 will be remembered with sadness. Jo was visiting her son in Worcester Park and parked under a streetlight opposite 135 and 137 Highdown KT4 7JD. Unfortunately, she forgot to lock her door and someone took a red Christmas bag containing new cards and old cards including one from her mother before she passed away. There was also an A5 address book with pictures of Tuscany in it which had 30+ years of information (which is only of value to her.) Jo is desperate to get these items back and if offering a reward. Please get in touch with me if you can help.February brings, amongst other events, St Valentine’s Day, Chinese New Year and half term (already!) For some of us long-suffering-rugby-widows, it also sees the start of the Six Nations tournament. My girls and I get to watch more than our fair share of rugby throughout the year (some of it in Welsh) but it is the Six Nations which is the biggie. My OH (other half) grew up in Wales, to Irish parents, moved to England and married a Scottish girl whose brother lives in Italy. We always have someone to support in our house. Passions run high. Wish me luck!I do hope you enjoy this edition, and continue to support the local businesses who advertise, without whom we wouldn’t have this great community magazine.Enjoy!Jenny StuartEditor & publisher


WorcesterPark Life

5

5

Read our stories atwww.slimmingworld.com

Join a warm and friendly group near you today...

www.slimmingworld.com0844 897 8000

THURSDAYNew Malden 9.30am and 7pm The Graham Spicer Institute Dukes AvenueTel Vanessa 020 8288 0718

TUESDAYWorcester Park9.30am Wesley Hall, Christ Church with St Philip, Ruskin Drive7pm The Doris Venner Community Centre, The Manor DriveTel Helen 020 8330 4964



Park LifeDEAR [email protected]

FREE DISHWASHER with every kitchen ordered


WorcesterPark Life

7

7

houses were occupied by Dr Rowat and Dr Hamilton Hart. In 1952 the site of all six houses was sold to Epsom and Ewell Borough Council, and Rushmere Court, with its Dutch-style mansard roofs, was constructed. Its curving drive neatly accentuates the line of The Avenue

at this point.

Next on the left is Lansdowne Court, a development of maisonettes in a restrained moderne style (similar to Timbercroft) built about 1935. The name was inherited from the house (perhaps the largest Victorian house in Worcester Park) which had stood here since the 1860s.

In 1869 Jane and Eliza Turk, with their sister Fanny Carter, took a lease of the building; they opened a girls’ school, Lansdowne College, and by 1881 had 32 boarders, with four governesses and six servants. Another school, St. John’s College, was opened next door that year, with five girls taught by Mrs Mabel Robson, part of a network of schools devised by Prebendary Joseph Lloyd Brereton, a Norfolk clergyman and educational pioneer. In 1858 he had founded a ‘county school’ in Devon, providing a liberal and religious boarding education to sons of local farmers, supported by fees. He moved to Norfolk in 1867 and extended his scheme to university education, founding an inexpensive ‘county college’ in Cambridge in 1873. In 1881 he established the Graduated County Schools Association, providing self-supporting schools and colleges for girls and women. Three ‘grades’ of institutions were planned: junior or ‘County’ schools, regional senior or ‘Centre’ schools, and university colleges. Worcester Park became the location of the Southern Centre school. In 1882-83 Lansdowne College was amalgamated into it; Eliza Turk stayed on as housemistress.

The schooling was academically rigorous: an 1880s syllabus mentions Euclid’s Geometry and Vergil’s Æneid. A trip to London Zoo would have provided an exhilarating change: Mrs Robson wrote that “I had the greatest difficulty in persuading them to leave the Monkey House even after

Last month in our journey up The Avenue we reached Purdey Court. Opposite this is the entrance to Orchard Court, built in the early 1930s on the site of a plant nursery owned by Henry Dare and Son who also had premises at the top of Central Road.

Beyond, Forresters Court occupies the site of The Bungalow, home of Frederick Chifferiel who played a major part in the development of The Avenue. No. 13, which has recently reverted to an earlier name, St. Helen’s, after being known as Alauna, is typical of the large 1860s villas.

Next on the left is Rushmere Court, on the site of three pairs of large s e m i - d e t a c h e d houses built in the 1860s by the architect Chester Foulsham, probably with his partner John Giles. The first pair, St. Andrew’s and Woodville, were later converted into one house: Horace Shrubb, a chorister at St. Mary’s Church in the 1920s, remembers calling here at the end of an evening’s carol singing. “Two of the senior boys would usually go round and book into these houses – at nine o’clock on Christmas Eve it was always Mrs Clarke we went down to. We used to get invited into the hall in these places, and she had a plate on a table in the hall, and there were all the sixpences in a circle round, and we were given sixpence each.”

The second pair of houses were named Elm House and Rushmere, and the third pair St. John’s and Shelocke. Initially John Giles lived in St. John’s himself. By 1881 Shelocke had become St. John’s College (see below).

Both these houses later had medical connections. In about 1900 Lt-Col Sir Launcelotte Gubbins, an army surgeon, lived at St John’s. In the 1870s-80s he served in Afghanistan, Egypt and Burma. Later, as Assistant Director, and then Director-General, of the Army Medical Service, he was involved in its transformation into a royal Corps. He also handled the medical arrangements for Edward VII’s coronation. After his death in 1925, The Times paid tribute to “his struggles to combat those maladies which especially affect the soldier abroad.” By 1930 these

FREE DISHWASHER with every kitchen ordered

Up The Avenuecontinued...

by David Rymill

history

u



Park Life

we paid it a second visit. They rode on the elephant and were quite brave about feeding all the animals.” In 1885 there were 11 resident and seven visiting teachers, 55 boarders and 14 day girls.

The Association closed in 1887, but the Worcester Park

school was perhaps more successful than the other institutions. Miss Elizabeth Walsh, Headmistress since 1885, took over the lease of Lansdowne herself. In 1891 she had six assistants and 38 pupils, all girls and mostly 12-18. Some had been born as far away as Yorkshire or Cumberland, whilst six had been born in India and two in

Trinidad (probably the children of colonial officials or businessmen, sent back to be educated in a less hazardous climate).

By 1926 the premises had become a hotel, run by a Miss Dodd. Adjacent to the house was a large hall; this was presumably less useful for a hotel than for a school, and in 1933 Miss Dodd let the congregation of St. Mary’s use it as a church hall.

Our illustrations this month show one of the large houses in The Avenue, very likely St Andrew’s, and the view from Lansdowne of the tennis courts in the grounds.

Reverting to the topic of when the Malden Green poplars were planted – Jeff Wallder points out that they do not appear on a 1937 aerial photograph, which supports the suggested date of 1938.

Finally, turning to the forthcoming royal wedding – do you have any photographs or memories of Worcester Park street parties or celebrations for other royal weddings, perhaps in 1947 or 1981? If so, do contact me, please.David [email protected] 8330 [email protected] WPLife

l Garden designl Lawn mowingl Treatment and

Turfingl Clearance

l Hedge Trimmingl Bordersl Landscapingl Reliable, Friendly,

Fully Insured

A.C. GARDENINGGARDEN AND LANDSCAPE SERVICE

For a free quotation, please ring 07885 778429

[email protected]

Up The Avenue...Continued from page 7

history


WorcesterPark Life

9

9

1387 London RoadNorburySW16 4ANTel: 0208 623 1881

46 London RoadMorden SM4 5BE Tel: 0208 648 2999

PAWNBROKERS•BUYBACKSPAYDAY ADVANCE•CHEQUE CASHINGWE BUY GOODS•FOREIGN CURRENCY

CASH LOANSWe lend against Gold & Platinum jewellery & fine watches (Rolex, Cartier, Breitling & Omega etc).

We also offer a BuyBack service against laptop’s, LCD & Plasma TV’s, Game consoles, Mobile phones, Musical instruments & much more.

We also buy any scrap or unwanted gold, hallmarked or un-hallmarked. Best prices paid. Try our rates before you sell elsewhere.



Park Life

Most of us have a hazy idea of who St Valentine was. Two claims were made for the title in ancient times, one being a Roman priest and the other a bishop, both of them martyrs. Neither of them seems to have had any association with romance. St Valentine’s Day appeared to come into being during the middle ages when it was associated with the onset of spring.

The first time in my life that I became aware of feelings of romance was when I was at my junior school which wasn’t that far away from where I now live in Worcester Park. I had heard through the class grapevine that a fellow pupil named Michael was going to give me a bag of aniseed twist sweets at playtime because he liked me a lot. (His parents owned a sweetshop in Epsom town. What more could a greedy girl want of her first love? ). I stood nonchalantly in the playground at the appointed time, but sadly Michael never came in my direction. I found out later that hunger had got the better of him and my love token had been scoffed. Thus, at an early age, I discovered the fickleness of men.

When I had my first real boyfriend in my early teens I was ecstatic at the thought of being taken to the local cinema by him (the now demolished “Rembrandt” at Ewell Court) and even though it was raining on the day of our date nothing could dampen my young spirits.

As we headed off to the bus stop together I handed my young beau an umbrella to shelter me from the rain. Unfortunately he kept crashing it down on my fashionably back-combed and lacquered bouffant creation, which rapidly turned into a bird’s nest. Arriving at the cinema I was equally unimpressed by him as he made me pay for my own box of chocolates, and then led me to the very unromantic front row of seats. Any thoughts of a quick snog rapidly disappeared from my mind as I cricked my neck looking up at the screen. So apart from a ruined hairdo, soggy feet, an empty purse and a pain in the neck (in every sense….) I had a sort of O.K. first date.

The boy in question was a blonde good-looking chap called Chris Dreja who lived in Surbiton and went on to be part of the Yardbirds, a world-class group who toured with the Rolling Stones. I split up with Chris a short time

after our disastrous date. I was obviously too high maintenance for him and not rock

chick enough. Probably just too rock-hard hair…..

Throughout my teenage years I had many boyfriends, always hoping with each one that I would experience the full moonlight and roses treatment. Unfortunately I just encountered the real world where boys were, well, boys, who usually put their love of football or cars before me. I needed violins. They gave me halftime scores.

I longed to be swept off my feet by a handsome Lothario who adored me. Unfortunately, being a capable-looking tall girl I didn’t engender a protective

instinct in the opposite sex. As one chap put it – “I might fancy you if I didn’t have to get up a ladder to kiss you”.

Eventually I married in my twenties (having had to propose to my then boyfriend as I was gathering dust on

YOUR FRIENDLY, LOCAL 24 HOUR PASSENGER/PARCEL

SERVICE

We have been serving the community since 1966 and are the oldest

established company in this area

Contractors to corporate companies and local authorities.

OAK RADIO CARS

020 8949 5555

6 SEATER AND EXECUTIVE CARS ALSO AVAILABLE

Thoughts for St Valentine’s Dayby Ruth Jemmett

jemmettruth


WorcesterPark Life

11

11

the shelf…) and often wondered why I had never attracted men who wanted to lay down their lives for me – merely their washing. With a sigh of defeat I concluded that the Big Romance was probably an invention of the media I had grown up with, which had carefully orchestrated things so that another generation of women would start off sinking into a man’s arms and end up with their arms in the sink.

We all have to throw away our rose-tinted glasses eventually and realise that love is about the little things in life, and not always the grand gestures. Yes, it would be great to be spirited away to Paris in a private helicopter for lunch, but in the cold light of day most women would prefer a man who always takes the rubbish out to the bin. Love doesn’t have to be shown in monetary terms. A heart flip can come from the touch of a hand, a meaningful look, or someone remembering your favourite colour. The cliché that “money can’t buy me love” is illustrated on a daily basis in the press, be it in the private lives of royalty or lottery winners.

True love is all about caring for someone more than yourself. It sounds easy, but in reality it is often hard to put into practice. And of course to be loved YOU have to be loving. Many people confuse lust with being in love, or infatuation with true love. Those feelings all have their places in our lives at different times, but just as we surely know when we are NOT loved, we don’t always recognize THE REAL THING when it comes along. How many of us regularly take stock of all the selfless little things our partners do on a daily basis that prove their devotion to us?

I worked for many years as a bereavement counsellor and would often hear clients say “I didn’t realise how much he/she loved me until they died….”

On this Valentines Day don’t be sad that a large bouquet or a soppy card doesn’t arrive at your door, as long as your beloved remembers to wipe the bathroom basin after they have used it. Love, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. It is often right in front of us if we only open our eyes wide enough to recognise it. As Shakespeare said – “Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, and therefore is wing’d Cupid painted blind…..”

True love doesn’t always show itself in how much some thing costs. Even so, I still wish that Michael at my junior school had given me those sweets and not eaten them…..

Ruth Jemmett Member of the Society of AuthorsCopyright 04 Jan 2011 WPLife

HILLSIDE CARPETSFamily run business Established 1989

WE CAN BEATANY WRITTEN

QUOTE

Ring freephone 0500 700 880or 020 8336 1006

We supply and fit carpets, (to suit all budgets!), natural floor coverings, vinyls,woods, laminates, rubber flooring, safety

flooring and luxury vinyl tiles such as AmticoWe can come to you with samples or come

to visit out [email protected]

Karlene IrwinIndependent Carer

Care, Support and Companionship

at HomeI provide a happy, caring service to meet

your individual needs.

Please call to discuss how I can help you meet your requirements.

Tel: 020 8337 4902Mob: 07954 425 687

Email: [email protected]

Karlene IrwinIndependent Carer

Care, Support

TIME TO Karlene Irwin




CAREKarlene Irwin

CAREKarlene Irwin

TIME TO TIME TO CARETIME TO TIME TO TIME TO TIME TO TIME TO TIME TO TIME TO CARECARECARECARECARECARECARE



Park Life

Crocuses, like Hamlet's sorrows, come not as single spies, but in battalions. And stealthy battalions at that. One day, there is no sign of them, while the next they have popped up everywhere. Anyone who walks across a public park daily to get to work and suddenly, one morning, comes across a veritable carpet of plump Dutch crocuses, purple and yellow, will know what I mean.

That jack-in-the-box character is only part of the fascination that crocuses have to offer us. For me, their appeal lies as much in the way they open their petals out when the sun warms them as in their colours. It may be a no-nonsense bio-chemical reaction to sunlight, but it is still reminds me of the way I feel like stretching my arms out to enjoy the February sunshine, so it always makes me smile.

Nor is that all, for the styles (that is, stigmas and stalks inside the flowers) exhibit an intriguing variety of form, depending on the kind of crocus it is. I really enjoy going round the garden on a sunny day, peering into crocus flowers to observe the branching of the golden or red styles. In fact, this is one way that botanists identify different species. The styles of the well-known spring-flowering Crocus chrysanthus, for example, are orange-red and divided into three, while those of Crocus sieberi are fringed. The styles of Crocus imperati are so divided that they look like masses of fine orange threads.

The styles of the autumn-flowering Crocus sativus - believe it or not - provide the culinary spice and yellow dye that we know as saffron. It seems remarkable now that saffron was once commercially grown and harvested in this country; indeed, it was so important to the prosperity of one part of Essex that there is a town named after it - Saffron Walden. It would be nice to think that such a benign industry could be resurrected, especially since saffron is the most expensive spice you can buy, but the summers would have to get a bit hotter and winters appreciably colder before it was viable again. And I rather doubt you could get people to pick the flowers. It would be back-breaking work, which we would not appreciate; after all, it takes 100,000 flowers to make just a kilo of dried culinary saffron and the harvest has to be done very quickly. Crocus

sativus is grown for profit in central Spain, Iran, Greece and Kashmir and has

been cultivated for more than 3,000 years. As well as its culinary use, it is a textile dye and also in the past was also used in medicine. Indeed, there is some recent evidence that it has anti-cancer properties.

What really tickles me about the crocus is that it is one of the few plants which can correct my shortcomings as a gardener. It has the capacity to draw itself down to the right place in the soil, using what are called "contractile" roots. So even if I get the planting depth wrong, the crocus ends up in the right

place in the end. Indeed, I really don't see how further evolution could possibly improve on the crocus. Except perhaps to make the bulbs taste unpleasant to mice and squirrels. Yes, and make the flowers more weatherproof in February, provided it did not detract from their unique beauty. WPLife

Crocuses by Ursula Buchan

gardening

Transformyour kitchen

Call your local Wizard

01932 989 679

Why change all of yourkitchen when you can just

replace the doors?

www.kitchen-wizard.biz

No obligation quotation

No VAT to pay !!!


WorcesterPark Life

13

13

x124 3



Park Life

Add Value& Enhanceyour HomeWE DO NOT OFFER INFLATED PRICE DISCOUNTS OR USE HIGH PRESSURE SELLINGOur long experienced sales people simply discuss your requirements give advice and take measurements. Then getting factory costings telephone you a few days later with our best price.

SUPPLY & INSTALLATION SERVICEDouble glazed; High Security Windows; Doors; Conservatories; Porches and Bi-folding Doors manufactured from top quality;

Engineered Hardwood Internally Glazed PVCu Thermal Break Aluminium Timber Clad Aluminium Traditional Steel All with self cleaning energy

efficient Pilkington glass

Our hardwood products are manufactured to the very highest standards at an affordable price, using traditional joinery methods with selected materials from sustainable sources.

Orangeries now available.

All in One Glazing Limited

0208 786 2202 /3/4/5

Showroom: 432-434 Ewell RoadTolworth, Surrey KT6 7ELe-mail: [email protected]

www.surreywindows.netwww.allinoneglazing.com


WorcesterPark Life

15

15

SHANNON CORNERS E R V I C E C E N T R E•Diagnostic Equipment •Welding •Repairs •MoT •Clutches •Batteries •Brakes

OPENMon-Fri 8:30am - 5:30pmSaturday 8:00am - 1:00pm

We’ve been aroundfor years!Call us on:

020 8942 9666

OPENMon-Fri 8:30am - 5:30pmSaturday 8:00am - 1:00pm

TYRES FROM

£25£25EXHAUSTS

AIR CONDITIONING FROM £50£50

BUDGET &BRANDED TYRES

SUPPLIED &FITTED

FREE VALVE &BALANCE ON ALL

TYRESPURCHASED

SERVICING FROM£80£80

LOCAL COLLECTION &DELIVERY BY ARRANGEMENT

CALL TODAY AND ASK ABOUT OUR

MONTHLY OFFERS

15% OFFANY PURCHASE

WITH THIS VOUCHER

SHANNON CORNER SERVICE CENTRE

208-212Burlington Road, New Malden,

Surrey KT3 4NP

Email: [email protected]: www.shannontyres.co.uk

BEVERLEY ROAD

MAL

DERN

WAY

A3

BURLINGTON ROAD B282

SHANNONCORNER

ROOKWOOD AVE

ALBERT ROAD

GEORGE ROAD

www.allinoneglazing.com



Park LifeCHARITYWheels In Worcester Parkby Ruth Jemmett

MADE TO MEASURE BLINDSAt JKN Hanging we come to you with a free measuring and fitting service, so all we require of you is to choose from our wide range of fabrics with a little help from ourselves.

Please contact us on 0208 401 8603 or 07723 375 810.Alternatively you can email us on [email protected]

to arrange an appointment.

Roller blindsVertical blindsWooden venetian blindsMetal venetian blindsPleated blindsPanel blindsConservatory blindsLoft blindsHandmade Roman blinds

(using customers own fabric)

We also have a wide range of blackout fabrics ideal for those early mornings in the summer when you don’t want to be woken by the sunrise.

We also provide handmade curtains/pelmets/curtain track and poles.

•••••••••

WE SUPPLY ALL TYPES OF BLINDS INCLUDING


WorcesterPark Life

17

17

competitionWIN

The King’s Speech Shopper

closing date 17th Feb 2011

THE KING’S SPEECH tells the story of the relationship between Britain’s reluctant King George VI, plagued by a nervous stammer, and the unorthodox Australian speech therapist who helps him. In January, Colin Firth won a Golden Globe for his role as King George VI and the film has recently been awarded 14 BAFTA nominations.The cast also includes Academy Award Winner Geoffrey Rush, as speech therapist Lionel Logue, Academy Award nominee Helena Bonham Carter as Queen Elizabeth (later the Queen Mother), Guy Pearce as King Edward VIII, Michael Gambon as King George V, Derek Jacobi as the Archbishop of Canterbury, Timothy Spall as Winston Churchill, Anthony Andrews as Stanley Baldwin, Claire Bloomas Queen Mary, and Jennifer Ehle as Logue’s wife Myrtle.

The Film’s distributor, Momentum Pictures have very kindly given Worcester Park Life 2 canvas shoppers to give away as competition prizes.

To enter, just answer this question.

What TV costume drama made Colin Firth a household name in 1995?

Just email your answer, with your name, address and phone number to [email protected]. Or post to 36 Rosebery Ave, New Malden KT3 4JS. Entries must be received by midnight on 17th Feb 2011 and the winners will be chosen at random. WPLife

• • • • • • • • • •

Traditional Roofi ng Specialists

A Hendry Roofi ng• From repairs to renewals• Flat roofs• Tiling and slating• All lead work• Guttering

• Fascias and soffi ts• NVQ qualifi ed roofers• Public liability insurance cover• Over 15 years experience• All work guaranteed

For a customised roof to suit your needs pleasecontact me for free advice or a no obligation quote

Call Andrew Hendry on 07776462453e-mail: ahendryroofi [email protected]

Traditional Roofi ng SpecialistsTraditional Roofi ng Specialists

A Hendry Roofi ng• From repairs to renewals• Flat roofs• Tiling and slating• All lead work• Guttering

• Fascias and soffi ts• NVQ qualifi ed roofers• Public liability insurance cover• Over 15 years experience• All work guaranteed

For a customised roof to suit your needs pleaseFor a customised roof to suit your needs pleaseFor a customised roof to suit your needs pleasecontact me for free advice or a no obligation quote

Call Andrew Hendry on 07776462453e-mail: ahendryroofi [email protected]



Park Life

Reality TV1. Tim Campbell was the first winner of which reality TV series?2. First broadcast in 2003, which two socialites starred in the TV

show The Simple Life?3. The title of the TV show Big Brother was taken from the name

of a character in which well known 1948 novel?4. Who was head chef on the first series of Hell’s Kitchen?5. Which Scottish singer became famous thanks to a 1970s reality TV show called

The Big Time?6. Which reality TV series soon became the most watched series ever in the history

of MTV when it was first broadcast in 2002?7. Name the three judges from the first series of The X Factor.8. Who was the first female winner of I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here?9. In the film The Truman Show, what was the first name of the title character

who, unknown to him, was having his entire life broadcast as part of a reality TV show?

10. According to the Sunday Times Rich List, who is the wealthiest dragon on the TV show Dragon’s Den?

1. T

he A

ppre

ntic

e 2.

Pari

s H

ilton

and

Nic

ole

Ric

hie

3. N

inet

een

Eigh

ty-F

our

(by

Geo

rge

Orw

ell)

4. G

ordo

n R

amsa

y 5.

She

ena

East

on 6

. The

Osb

ourn

es 7

. Sim

on

Cow

ell,

Loui

s Wal

sh a

nd S

haro

n O

sbou

rne

8. K

erry

Kat

ona

9. T

rum

an (

his

surn

ame

was

Bur

bank

) 10

. Dun

can

Bann

atyn

e

Cash Paid For Your Property Now No Equity? No Problem

Any Property Considered, We’ll Even Pay Your Mortgage Now!Are you fed up of trying to sell your house and can’t wait forever?

We can help you in as little as 28 days.

• Re-possessions stopped immediately

• Debts settled quickly

• No stress, no delays

• Solutions tailored to suit you

• Discreet, friendly and professional service

Call, text or e-mail immediately for a free, no obligation solution to your situation

020 8224 0080 or 07920 401 296 [email protected] us now and discover how easy it can be!

Call, text or e-mail immediately for a free, no obligation solution to your situation


WorcesterPark Life

19

19

For 40 years, New Malden has been the home of Britain’s premier hi-fi specialistToday, Unilet offers the same great service as well as sound advice at a better price.

But now our experience extends to home cinema and digital TV installation.Isn’t it nice to know you can get the very best choice of the best brands,

backed up by helpful advice just around the corner?Isn’t it time you popped in and took a look for yourself? You’d be nuts not to.

UniletS O U N D + V I S I O N

Unilet Sound and Vision Ltd. 35 High Street, New Malden, Surrey KT3 4BY

Tel: 020 8942 9567 Email: [email protected] www.unilet.net

hi-fi • audio-visualmulti-room specialists

We’re nuts about hi-fi (and home cinema)

Unilet_VVoice_Ad:Layout 1 22/7/09 10:23 Page 1



Park Life

Croydon Animal Samaritans is a Registered Charity that has been helping and rescuing animals since 1974. We have many volunteers all working hard to rescue, foster and re-home all animals taken into our care. The Charity’s ethos is ‘the rescuing, sheltering and provision of veterinary care for unwanted or abandoned animals and, wherever possible to find them suitable homes”. We have a number of foster carers across Surrey and one of these is in Worcester Park.

Angela Jennings has been volunteering with the charity for four years now and lives in Worcester Park. Angela says: “I have been

Can you give a cat a home?croydonanimalsamaritans.co.uk

charitiesfostering cats for Croydon Animal Samaritans and

have cared for 18 cats over that time. I have a cabin in my garden in Worcester Park, which is heated and has a small exercise run. I am a mother of 3 boys, work part-time and I find looking after and re-homing the cats in my care very rewarding. Indeed my whole family gets involved in the charities work in one way or another either by helping to care for the cats in my care or by giving them love and cuddles. The Charity relies totally on donations and help from volunteers like myself to re-home the animals in our care. Animals come

into mine and the other fosterers care for all sorts of reasons from job loss, marriage breakdown or bereavement. The current financial crisis has meant that we have also seen an increase in the volume of animals that need our help”.

We always have many animals that are desperately in need of loving homes. The photos above are just a few of the cats we have for adoption. All of our cats have been checked for good health and are neutered and vaccinated. If you are interested in offering a home to any of our animals please contact us on our General Helpline on 020 8644 8829.

Another important part of Croydon Animal Samaritans is the fundraising side of the charity. As well as an Open Day every summer we also have a fund raising shop in Croydon run by volunteers. If you would like to help with any of our fundraising events by participating or donating goods again please contact our General Helpline on 020 8644 8829.

We are constantly looking for new fosterers, not just those who can have a cabin in their garden, but also those who can give a spare room to a cat, or kittens and look after them while a new home is found. If you feel this would be of interest to you please call Lois on (020) 8647 7815 or Anna on (020) 8698 6813 or visit our website www.croydonanimalsamaritans.co.uk WPLife


WorcesterPark Life

21

21

SECOND NATURE LANDSCAPES LTD.I have over 20 years local and international

experience in landscape design, construction,planting, lighting, irrigation etc. Referencesavailable. I would love to help you transform

your outdoor spaces!

0787 526 6372 Andy Curwell

B Sc. Hons (Botany), R.H.S. (Horticulture), Dip (Terrain Evaluation).www.secondnaturelandscapes.co.uk

[email protected]

For a friendly, free consultation, please call ...

ARE YOU FRUSTRATED BY YOUR GARDEN?

Body Control Pilates is a registered trademark used under licence

When times are tough you have to shout

about your business

EVEN LOUDER

Be seen and heard by the your localmarket in the Village Voiceand Worcester Park Life.

With competitive pricing, friendly

efficient service and helpful adviceit’s simple and effective

- but then the best ideas always are.

Call jenny on 020 8336 2915or go online

www.maldenmedia.com



Park Life

You’ll love it…

Est 35 YEARS

ROBINSON& SONPROFESSIONAL

PAINTERS& DECORATORS

WallpaperingINTERIOR & EXTERIOR

PRIVATE & RESIDENTIALHigh Quality

WORK AT LOCAL RATESExperienced professional

TradesmanCALL FOR FREE ESTIMATE

020 8399 9803RECOMMENDATIONS

AVAILABLEA FAMILY RUN BUSINESSEMail: [email protected]

Codeword.

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24

25 26

4 17 13 4 7 25

4 19 24 13 17 8 17 13 12 1 5L

4

7 8 5 19 23 19O

6 12 15 8 12 22 24 12 13 23 24 9

15 2 6 5 20

25 13 8 4 4 8 21 9 16 6 14 4

8 21 3 8

4 9 12 17 15 1 23 26 12 13 21D

4

12 19 6 11 21

17 13 8 12 6 23 3 8 18 19 10 4

15 4 13 20 24 19

20 8 11 6 5 8 12 10 4 8 11 6

21 4 21 13 6 16

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


WorcesterPark Life

23

23Advertise in for less than £1 a dayWorcester

Park Life

Worcester Park l Stoneleigh l Ewell l New Malden

FebruaryProperty Supplement

You’ll Love our Passion for Pr0pertyfor homes worth viewing

go to www.brownsresidential.co.uk

020 8330 7557 - Sales020 8330 7887 - Lettingswww.brownsresidential.co.uk

Browns Res Feb_Layout 1 18/01/2011 16:51 Page 1



Park LifeDEAR [email protected]

l Extended Semi Detached

l Five Bedrooms

l Two Receptions

l Large Kitchen / Breakfast Room

l Extensive Lawned Rear Garden

l Two Bath / Shower Rooms

l Garage & Multiple O.S.P

l Premier Road

Worcester Park £599,950


Sales - 020 8330 7557 Lettings - 020 8330 7887

www.brownsresidential.co.uk



WorcesterPark Life

25

25

WORCESTER PARK LIFEwww.ourkt4.com

[email protected]

l Extended Semi Detached

l Five Bedrooms

l Two Receptions

l Large Kitchen / Breakfast Room

l Extensive Lawned Rear Garden

l Two Bath / Shower Rooms

l Garage & Multiple O.S.P

l Premier Road



Sales - 020 8330 7557 Lettings - 020 8330 7887



l Secluded Family Home

l Three Bedrooms

l Luxury Kitchen

l Private Garden

l The Avenue

l Two Receptions

l Family Bath/Shower Room

l Garage & Parking


l Semi Detached

l Three Bedrooms

l Two Reception Rooms

l Modern Fitted Kitchen

l Family Bathroom

l South Facing Garden

l Garage

l Potential to Extend


l End of Terrace

l Three Bedrooms

l Through Reception

l Modern Kitchen

l Family Bathroom

l Downstairs Cloakroom

l West Facing Garden

l Garage & O.S.P


l End Terrace Family Home

l Three Bedrooms

l Two Reception Rooms

l Modern Kitchen

l Family Bathroom

l Separate W.C

l South West Facing Garden

l Close to Station

Motspur Park £399,950


020 8330 7557 - Sales020 8330 7887 - Lettingswww.brownsresidential.co.uk




Park Life

Let Browns Residential Find Your

Perfect Property Match


Why Choose Browns Residential…

Sales - 020 8330 7557 Lettings - 020 8330 7887


Vendor’s Solicitor Fee & EPC cost deducted from our Sole Agency Commission (Subject to Terms & Conditions)

Extensive Internet Coverage on all Major Property Portals

Full Page Colour Ads in Sutton & Epsom Property Guardian and Property Supplements in Local Magazines

Exclusive Member of The Guild of Professional Estate Agents for the Worcester Park Area

Motivated Experienced Staff

Select Properties You Won’t See Anywhere Else

l Four Bedrooms l Un-Furnished Town House

Worcester Park £2,150 pcml Five Bedrooms l Un-Furnished Detached

Worcester Park £2,500 pcm

Serious about Selling or Letting?



WorcesterPark Life

27

27

LICENCED WASTE CARRIERS (not fly-tipping cowboys!)

Environment Agency Reg: EAN-939396

HOUSE CLEARANCE SPECIALISTSHOUSE CLEARANCE SPECIALISTS

Valuations for Probate or Insurance (fully itemised with photographs—as

approved by the Probate Office)

WE BUY UNWANTED and

JEWELLERY AND SCRAP Better prices paid than companies

currently advertising on TV!!

BROWSERS WELCOMED BUYERS CUDDLED!!

SECOND HAND FURNITURE BOUGHT AND SOLD

We also Buy and Sell Antiques & Collectibles, including: Moorcroft, Royal Doulton, Lladro, Paintings, Clocks, Military Memorabilia, Rail-way-ania, Vintage Toys, Art Nouveau, Troika, Records, Postcards, and other interesting items!

Let Browns Residential Find Your

Perfect Property Match


Why Choose Browns Residential…

Sales - 020 8330 7557 Lettings - 020 8330 7887


Vendor’s Solicitor Fee & EPC cost deducted from our Sole Agency Commission (Subject to Terms & Conditions)

Extensive Internet Coverage on all Major Property Portals

Full Page Colour Ads in Sutton & Epsom Property Guardian and Property Supplements in Local Magazines

Exclusive Member of The Guild of Professional Estate Agents for the Worcester Park Area

Motivated Experienced Staff

Select Properties You Won’t See Anywhere Else

l Four Bedrooms l Un-Furnished Town House

Worcester Park £2,150 pcml Five Bedrooms l Un-Furnished Detached

Worcester Park £2,500 pcm

Serious about Selling or Letting?


1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8

9 10 11

12 13

14

15 16 17

18 19 20

21 22 23

24 25

©Puzzlepress.co.uk

Across1. Ounces in seven stone (4)4. 6 Down plus 2077 (4)7. Pints in four gallons (2)8. Five sixths of 23 Down (2)9. 14 Across plus 17258 (5)12. Double 15 Across (3)13. Pounds in ten stone (3)14. 12 Across multiplied by 23 Across (5)15. Minutes in five hours (3)16. Months in 52 years (3)18. 14 Across minus 125 (5)21. Square root of 256 (2)23. 2 Down plus three (2)24. 12 Across multiplied by five (4)25. 21 Across plus 24 Across plus ten per

cent of 15 Across (4)Down1. 11 cubed plus five (4)2. One twelfth of 16 Across (2)3. 22 Down multiplied by 14 (3)4. One eighth of 6 Down (3)5. 7 Across plus two (2)6. 13 Across multiplied by 23 Down (4)9. 8 Across plus 9 Across (5)10. 1 Across multiplied by 21 Across (5)11. 9 Across plus 18 Across minus 2068 (5)15. 25 Across minus 33 (4)17. 1 Across plus 15 Down minus 125 (4)19. 23 Across multiplied by four (3)20. 3 Down minus 107 (3)22. One fifth of 15 Across (2)23. 22 Down minus six (2) WPLife



Park Life

16th February Drop In morning 9:30 - 11:30am26th March Open Morning 10 - 12noon


WorcesterPark Life

29

29

T: 07738 859594E-Mail:

[email protected]

Introductory OfferYour fi rst 4 lessons for just £50

• Learner, Advanced, Refresher and Motorway Lessons. Intensive and Pass Plus Courses.

• Excellent 1st Time Pass Rate.

• Competitive Prices with Discounts for Block Booking and Student’s.

• Off Road Lessons at 16 Years Old.

• Door to Door Service.

Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School

Robert’s Driving School

Robert’s Robert’s Robert’s Driving School




Robert’s Robert’s Driving School

























Robert’s Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School Driving School

Your Local Independent DSA Approved Driving Instructor.

This treatment has astounded both my clients and myself. For the first time we can truly eliminate frizz and unwanted volume.

For those of you who have to spend ages blow drying and straightening your hair this is the treatment for you. Once treated with the pure keratin conditioner blow drying becomes a 5 minute pleasure with long lasting results - no more frizzing in the rain!!

The Beox professional treatment takes about 2 hours to complete. First your hair is washed with a clarifying shampoo, this removes any product build up. The treatment is then applied allowing the keratin molecules to penetrate into the hair shaft. The final steps are to blow dry and flat iron the hair, this ensures that the keratin molecules are sealed into the hair. - Creating beautiful, shiny and manageable hair!

hair The beox professional blowdry

by Polly Hood

Beox professional can be used on any chemically treated hair including highlights, relaxed, Yuko and bleached. In

fact I would recommend it for coloured or otherwise dry hair. It aids condition and adds shine and longevity to your colour. However don’t try to have both processes done together, leave a week between treatments and I would suggest colouring first.

Beox Professional is registered in the UK and has undergone health and safety assessment to ensure it meets UK cosmetic regulation.

To make an appointment for the Beox or indeed any other hairdressing needs please call Polly on: 0781 3468252 or 0208 949 7737. A pricelist can be found on hairblingsparkles.co.uk WPLife

today



Park Life


WorcesterPark Life

31

31

Call us on: 020 8942 4137

Caring for the elderly is an increasingly discussed issue!

With the government predicting that over the next 25 years, the number of 75 year olds will increase by a staggering 76%, Home Instead Senior Care has arrived in the area to care for the needs of the elderly now!Based in New Malden, Home Instead covers the Worcester Park, New Malden and surrounding areas and is owned and run by local, Clare Jefferies, with Care Manager Julie Lee and a growing team of trusted, highly trained Caregivers. Clare explains “Home Instead’s ethos is to ‘change the face of ageing’ and it is with extreme passion and commitment that we are here in your local community. Having experienced the wrong side of care for both my parents a few years ago, I want Home Instead to become your trusted companion for your loved one and for us to be an extension of your own family.Home Instead is a non medical provider of care and companionship to the elderly to help them maintain their independence.

We carefully match one Caregiver with one client, who comes at the right time on the right day to encourage, stimulate and assist with a variety of daily activities to help improve their quality of life. Trips to the garden centre, medication reminders, meal preparation, light housekeeping, errands, shopping and even specialist Alzheimer's and dementia careOur clients include individuals who have

come to us themselves, older children enquiring for their parents or relatives, people who receive direct payments from the local authority and clients referred to us by the Primary Care Trust. Regardless of how you come to Home Instead, it is my goal to provide the same level of care and support I would have wanted for my parents.”For more information please call Clare or Julie on 0208 942 4137 or go to the website www.homeinstead.co.uk WPLife

Lake Thomas

Cakes

0208 942 8782 (evenings and weekends)

[email protected]

Offers bespoke hand made cakes for all occasions, from weddings

to birthdays

age concernIndependent living – whatever your age!



Park Life

The one day of the year that really segregates the nation- Valentine’s Day. You either love it or you hate it (and you will often find that the majority of those who resent the day are single). Many people find the day sweet and romantic whilst others find it over commercialised and soppy. Whatever view you share on Valentine’s Day, most people celebrate with their loved ones or with friends.

Valentine’s Day is an old tradition carried on for hundreds of years. It all started with a priest called Valentine. Legend has it that during the Roman era, marriage was banned for a while, supposedly because single men made better soldiers. However, Valentine did not agree and decided to conduct marriage ceremonies in secret. Unfortunately Valentine was found out and was put to death on February 14th. Ever since, February has been the month to celebrate love and romance, the month in which it is acceptable for strange men to send

you flowers, chocolates and bright pink cards.

Although the idea of Valentine’s Day is romantic, it is also over commercialised and sometimes an expensive event. There are approximately 1 billion Valentines Day cards sent every year, and the most popular recipients of the cards are teachers. Many men and women struggle for an original gift for their Valentine’s and often go with the traditional chocolates and flowers. Others are more elaborate- 52% of Americans propose on Valentines each year but only 10% get engaged- ouch.

For those who are interested in celebrating locally, why not visit Pizza Express, La Mamma or Bellini’s in the High Street that will cater for your romantic feast. The Conservatory will be able to supply beautiful bouquets of flowers and the Vin Bin, Worcester Park’s new Wine Shop will be able to supply you with that special bottle of champagne. Whatever you have up your sleeve this year I hope you have a very happy Valentine’s Day. WPLife

Celebrate St Valentines Day in Worcester Parkby Katherine Hawkins

14th feb


WorcesterPark Life

33

33

Telephone : 020 8399 1226 For a FREE NO OBLIGATION home visitOr visit our showroom : 406 Ewell Road,Tolworth, Surrey KT6 7HFEmail : [email protected] Web : www.dreamdoorsltd.co.uk

SAVE £1000’S USING OUR REPLACEMENT DOOR SYSTEMYou can have a new kitchen at :

Up to 60% of the cost Installed in 1-2 days Minimal hassle and disruption

HOW? Don’t replace it, Re-face it

100s of door styles and colours FREE estimates and adviceAdditional units if requiredMade to measure doors and units Huge range of worktops and sinks Top branded appliances

BEFO

RE

the wor

k starts

AFTER

the fac

elift

LOCAL FAMILY RUN BUSINESS WITH NATIONAL FRANCHISE BACK-UP

PAY NO VATOFFER EXTENDED TO 28/2/2011

Offer not available in conjuction with any other advertised offer. Terms conditions apply

AS SEEN ON ITV’S

210x148.5(Kingston).qxd 15/11/10 09:49 Page 1



Park LifeFebruarysend your listings to [email protected]

whats on

Give Blood Call 0300 123 23 23Local sessions in FebruarySt Philip, Ruskin Drive, Worcester ParkKt4 8lh Wednesday 02 Feb 2011 14:00 To 16:30 17:30 To 20:00St James’s Church Hall Malden Road New Malden Kt3 5qd Wednesday 09 Feb 2011 14:00 To 16:30 17:30 To 20:00Mini Bloodmobiles Sainsburys London Road, North Cheam, Sm3 9aa Monday 28 Feb 2011 09:30 To 12:30 14:00 To 16:00

Gift & Treat Market - Bourne Hall - Ewell - KT17 1UR 5’ away from Ewell West Sation, Bus 293, 406, 470, 467 From Tuesday 8th Feb to Saturday 12th Feb. 2011 Opens at 10.00 - Late nights, please contact Glenda for more details.Free Entry and 30’ Free Car ParkLibrary, Museum & Coffee Shop on siteWe have a wide variety of products and gifts suitable for Children’s, Valentine’s, Mother’s day etc... Contact: [email protected] - 01252 409 756

Table top sale at St John’s Hall, 411 Malden Road from 0930-1230 on the 5th March.Proceeds to go towards the lighting fund.

Kingsmeadow Live brings you the best live music including original acts such as Neville Staple, The Dualers and Boo Hewerdine and top tributes such as The Smyths, The Jamm and The Kounterfeit Kinks. When: Friday and Saturday nightsTime: Doors open 7.30pm- 8pm, shows start 9pm- 9.30pm, Bar closes Midnight-1amKingsmeadow Stadium Jack Goodchild Way 422a Kingston Rd Kingston Upon Thames KT1 3PB Box office: 020 8547 3335Web: www.kingsmeadowlive.comE-mail: [email protected]

Rose Theatre 24-26 High StKingston Upon Thames KT1 1HL 020 8546 698Tuesday 1 February –Saturday 5 FebruaryTHE HISTORY BOYS By Alan BennettTickets £8 - £27Monday 7 February, 7.30pmSHLOMO – MOUTHTRONICA One man. One mouth. One mic. Tickets £14Tuesday 8 February, 7.30pm IAN D MONTFORT: TOUCHING THE DEADTickets £12 adv, £14 on the door, £10 concessionsThursday 9 February, 7.30pmRAINER HERSCH’S VICTOR BORGETickets £14 adv, £16 on door, £12 pit, £10 concessionsThursday 10 February, 7.30pmARABELLA WEIR – THE REAL ME IS THINTickets £12, £8 pit

Friday 11 February – Saturday 12 FebruarySCIENCE MUSEUM - LIVE ON TOUR!

Tickets £12.50, schools £10 – teachers go free!Friday 18 February – Saturday 26 MarchAS YOU LIKE IT Tickets £8 - £40Wed 2 Mar 5.30pm INTRODUCTION TO AS YOU LIKE IT Tickets £5, £3

Epsom PlayhouseAshley Avenue, Epsom, Surrey KT18 5ALBox Office: 01372 742555 Website: www.epsomplayhouse.co.ukThursday 3 February at 8pmJESSIE BUCKLEY IN CONCERTTickets: £18.50 Pass Card Members: £15.50Friday 4 February at 8pmSHAZIA MIRZA IN MULTIPLE CHOICESTickets: £12.50 Pass Card Members: £10.00Saturday 5 February at 8pm MARK STEELTickets: £15.00Saturday 12 February at 1pm and 3.30pm and Sunday 13 February at 11am and 2pmROARY THE RACING CAR Tickets: £13.50Monday 14 February at 8pm - Myers StudioLAURIE CHESCOE’S GOODTIME JAZZTickets: £9.50 Pass Card Members: £8.40Thursday 24 February at 12.00pm and 3.00pmTHE WAY BACK HOMETickets: £8.75Sunday 27 February at 8pmMILTON JONES - LION WHISPERER Tickets: £15.00Monday 28 February at 8pm - Myers StudioDAVE STRUDWICK’S SUSSEX JAZZ KINGS Tickets: £9.50 Pass Card Members: £8.40Monday 28 February at 7.30pmCHRIS PACKHAM - A WILD LIFE EXPOSED Tickets: £16.50 Pass Card Members: £13.20 Children under 16: £7.50

The Secombe Theatre 42 Cheam Road, Sutton, SM1 2SS Box Office: 0208 770 699New for 2011SUTTON’S NEW COMEDY CLUBAward-winning comedian & TV-face Neil Cole introduces the best in Stand-up Comedy at Sutton’s Secombe Theatre. Expect LOLs and ROFLs from stars of Live At The Apollo, Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow, Radio 4, Mock The Week, Buzzcocks, Boosh, Inbetweeners etc PLUS exciting new talent. Contains strong language from the start. Follow @Sutton_Comedy on TwitterFriday 11 February JOHNNY CASH ROADSHOW7.30pm £15/£13 concs Suitable for: Older Children & AdultsSaturday 12 February THE FLOYD EFFECT – A Tribute To Pink Floyd7.30pm £15Suitable for: Older Children & AdultsFriday 18 February THE NEW AMEN CORNER IN CONCERT WPLife


WorcesterPark Life

35

35

n

Helping To Make

Worcester Park A Nice Place To

Live

Jim and “The Gaffer”At the lower end of our allotment site lies the entrance to a secret garden. For most of the year, it’s hidden by greenery. But on a stark January day you can’t miss it. On a corner where the path sweeps round towards the car park, there’s a bird table where robins squabble for seeds. Below is a white sign bearing the inscription: The Jim Mansbridge Wildlife Area. Who was Jim, I wondered, and how did the area come to be created? “Go and talk to Jean”, was the advice I was given. “It was Jean’s project”. Jean Galsworthy is a surprising woman. Judging by her two and a half productive plots, you might think she was a lifelong allotment addict. You’d be wrong. “I just wanted somewhere to burn garden prunings”, she admitted. “In 1990, local residents got a council leaflet inviting them to take on a vacant plot. They assured us you didn’t have to do anything on it.” How times change!For the annual sum of £7, she was allocated a half plot : a wilderness with a damson tree –and no damsons. Some would have sprayed the lot with weed killer. Not Jean. Never keen on pesticides, she decided to go completely organic. In this she was ahead of the trend. Armed with only an old sickle and a fork, she cleared the plot and planted lettuces and a herb garden. Soon, she was hooked. In October, she took on the derelict other half, “to stop somebody else messing about on my plot!” Two more followed. But with many plots still unlet, something had to be done to prevent the site being grabbed by developers. So Jean set about recruiting a band of enthusiastic volunteers to “get things moving”. Her efforts paid off. Working parties gradually cleared neglected plots and Open Days drew in a dozen new tenants.Perhaps Jean’s biggest triumph was to persuade the AGM to accept her plans to turn a triangle of land roughly 160 x 90 feet into a wildlife area. Most of this was left as cover for birds, foxes and badgers. The remainder, often flooded in winter, was dug out to form a pond, drainage ditches, bog garden and meadow area. Jim Mansbridge, a retired policeman, was full of



Park Life

Qualifi ed, professional and experienced staff are happy to give advice and information on all your arboricultural queries

Free QuotesFully NPTC Qualifi ed

Tree Reductions / Crown ThinsTree Felling

Stump RemovalHedgeworks

Tree Surveys & ReportsFire log deliveries

Offi ce: 020 8399 0103 • Mobile: 07980 [email protected] • www.rj-treeservices.co.uk

LOOK FOR THE RED TREE!R.J. Tree Services, Berrylands, Surbiton

.For many reasons some trees are protected by Local Authorities, this feature looks at the procedures and types of protection. An individual tree, a group of trees or an area of land can have protection orders put in place by the planning department in the council, these are called Individual, Area and Conservation Areas respectively. In some cases conditions can be made in respect to a building application that can also affect the trees. To check your property for any forms of protection just contact your council by phone or the website eg.www.kingston.gov.uk; this should be done if any treeworks are proposed to ensure you do not end up in a magistrates court with a fine up to £20,000! . Companies like RJ Tree Services can do these checks for you as part of discussing possible treeworks in your garden.

Why are some trees protected?Trees are given TPO’s if they are considered as

making a significant positive impact in the local environment. If you feel a tree in your local area should be protected then contact your council planning department and request that they inspect the tree with regard to creating a TPO; it normally takes a month for the council to consider the reasons you give before coming to a decision.Protection orders cannot be put on shrubs and are usually not placed on trees like Leylandii conifers along with multi stem trees like Hazel. Within Conservation Areas trees with a diameter of 7.5cm at a height of 1.5m above ground level are covered by protection measures.

If a tree is under immediate threat of works or removal an emergency TPO can be put in place that can later be ratified into a permanent order. How can treeworks be done on a protected tree?A planning application is necessary if any for of work are desired on a protected tree. The application must be in the name of the tree owner with their signature and details including the tree species and why it requires either surgery or removal.

Protecting treesby Roger Kerr

gardening


WorcesterPark Life

37

37

You will need anEnergy PerformanceCertificate or aHome InformationPack.I can provide both for all types of home, quickly, accurately andat a reasonable cost, working

directly on yourinstructions.

020 8393 7506or email: [email protected]

LETTING ORSELLING?

Please call me,Neil Innes on

You will need an Energy Performance Certificate

them

Learn to BowlFree Coaching

All Ages & Abilities WelcomeBar • Restaurant

Social EventsLarge Car Park

FUNCTION ROOM FOR ALLOCCASIONS

Jubilee Way, ChessingtonKT9 1TR

Tel: 020 8397 7025www.kgfi ndoorbowlsclub.co.uk

Abilities WelcomeBar • Restaurant

KING GEORGE FIELD INDOOR BOWLS CLUB

In order to reduce, thin, crown lift or fell a tree that has either a TPO or CA protection an application is necessary to the council planning department. The forms can easily be downloaded from the respective website and once submitted a decision is usually made in 6 to 8 weeks. RJ Tree Services and other professional arborists can do these applications on your behalf for free to ensure the appropriate tree detail and exact specification for surgery is given. Many application forms are rejected if the map detail and nature along with reasons for surgery are not accurately provided.If a protected tree is dying, dead or diseased then a formal application is not required to the council. However we recommend that photographs of the tree along with a letter to the planning departments tree section is made before surgery/felling takes place. Only in instances where the tree is dangerous eg, root plate displacement, partial collapse; should the felling be done without this letter but still a quick telephone call to the council could save difficulties at a later date.

Are protected trees that are removed replaced?Many local councils will require an appropriate replacement tree to be planted in the vicinity of the one removed. The planning consent letter from the council tree officer will specify usually 3 species of tree that can be planted and give details on the height/age of the replacement one. If you feel you would like to plant an alternative tree species not on the

list then a letter to the council is required giving the reasons for your choice.At some point in the future a tree officer may require you to confirm that the replacement tree has been planted. Although it can be a time consuming exercise to have a protected tree on your property requiring council permission for works. The consequences of a “free for all” on treeworks can be dire for our communities. We have seen some fantastic trees that form a magnificent feature in surburban London removed or butchered in such a way that they create an ugly blot on the landscape for many years to come. Just imagine our landscape devoid of trees we would all miss those spring blossoms through to spectacular autumnal colours!. Council Planning Department tree officers do understand the need for gardens to have light and that over time trees can become oversized and require works to restrict growth. Likewise the officers understand the impact of subsidence to property services and foundations as rootplates develop that also mean tree surgery can be necessary, the majority of the applications R J Tree Services make for clients are approved. WPLife

wplife.co.uk To advertise call

020 8336 2915



Park Life

• • • •

• •

2011

Five Spice Chicken with Soy and Honey Sauce Ready in: 50 minutesServes 4

recipe

Chinese five-spice paste is an aromatic blend of cinnamon, fennel, star anise, ginger and cloves. It’s great for adding an authentic Oriental flavour to meat, fish and poultry. You’ll find small jars of it in the herb and spice sections of most supermarkets.

4 chicken fillets with skin10ml (2tsp) Chinese five-spice paste 10ml (2tsp) sunflower oil60ml (4tbsp) light soy sauce30ml (2tbsp) runny honey1 tbsp sweet chilli sauce225g (8oz) hot cooked long grain rice, to serveShredded spring onions and finely chopped red chilli, to garnish

1 Preheat the oven to 190C/375F/Gas 5. Spread the

five-spice paste over the skin of each chicken fillet and

place in a foil-lined roasting tin. Drizzle

over the oil and roast for 30-35 mins until the chicken is cooked through and the spice coated skin is lightly charred.2 Remove the chicken from the tin and cover and keep warm. Pour any juices from the roasting tin into a small pan and add the soy sauce and honey. Bring to the boil then reduce the heat and simmer for 4-5 mins until slightly thickened, Stir in the sweet chilli sauce.3 Slice each chicken fillet

into 5 pieces and arrange on a bed of hot cooked rice. Garnish with the shredded spring onion. Serve the soy and honey sauce in small bowls, garnished with chopped red chilli. WPLife


WorcesterPark Life

39

39

Serves - 4

Made with frozen mixed berries and thick Greek yoghurt this is a quick and easy low fat dessert - a refreshing alternative to theusual calorie laden winter puds! For a more adult version replace the apple juice with red wine or add a splash of cassis to thesoftened fruit.

400g bag frozen mixed berries75g (3oz) caster sugar55ml (2fl oz) apple juice1 mulled wine spice sachet1-2 tsp vanilla extract500g carton Greek yoghurt6 ready-made brandy snaps

Place the frozen berries in a deep frying pan.Stir in the sugar and apple juice and add themulled wine spice sachet. Gently heat the fruit, stirring all the time, until the sugar has dissolved.Simmer gently for 10 mins until the fruit has thawed completely and the liquid is syrupy. Set aside and leave to cool for 30 mins. Remove the mulled wine spice sachet and discard.

Stir the vanilla extract into the yoghurt. Lightly crush half the brandy snaps. Layer the fruit compote, vanilla yoghurt and crushed brandy snaps in 4 tall serving glasses, ending with a layer of yoghurt.Cover and chill in the fridge for at least 1hour. Break the remaining brandy snaps into pieces and use to decorate the desserts. Serve immediately.

For a hot version, allow thefruit compote to cool for just10 mins. Warm a carton offresh custard and use inplace of the yoghurt. n



Park Life

Do you enjoy listening to show tunes, big band music, jazz, light classics etc?Come along to an evening of live music played by top artistes. . We meet on the second Monday of each month at our Banstead venueBanstead Organ & Keyboard ClubChurch Institute Hall,High Street, Banstead SM7 2NNOur next concerts are on 14th February – Ian House14th March – Andrew NixDoors open 7pm for 7:30pm start. (Visitors £7)Visitors & new members are always welcome to our concerts. Further details from 020 8330 5795, or visit www.bansteadorganclub.co.ukQuest was set up in 1987 to provide a meeting place for people with physical disabilities between the ages of 20 - 60. However, once a member there is no age cut off. The aim of the club is to provide a welcoming, caring atmosphere for the members and allow the carers to have a regular break.

To feature inthis sectionemail [email protected]

clubsEveryone pays an annual subscription. and we all pay £2.50

for our lunch, which is cooked on the premises.We have various social activities and every second month we have a speaker, outings can be arranged if enough people wish to go.The venue is St. Philip Hall, Christchurch with St. Philip, Ruskin Drive, Worcester Park.We meet the 2nd and 4th Fridays in the month from 12.45 to 4p.mContact June Day, Club Secretary, on 02083301220 Worcester Park Residents AssocaiationWhen issues arise in our town or local council want to implement changes which could affect our daily way of life then as rate payers we need to voice our opinions. WPRA is the voice of the community. The more members we have the more our local council and MP will listen to our concerns. This in turn will help us to get what we want and not what someone outside our community wants us to have.Do you have concerns about issues such as:- Central road traffic congestion- Flooding of Beverley brook- Thriving as a community- Graffiti- Litter


WorcesterPark Life

41

41

April no Sutton meeting due to our annual open day and AGM at Croydon on Saturday 9th April. This year’s topic is the census with three very interesting speakers. Non-members are very welcome to all the above events, which are free.Further details of all our branch meetings, and open day can be found atOur award winning website www.esfhs.org.ukSocial Dancing with“ GLITTERS”At Bourne Hall, Spring Street, Ewell Village8.30 pm – 11.00 pm Entrance £7.50Over 18’s All standardsBar & Free parking & Professional D JWe may not have Brucie but we do have a glitter ball!21st January4th & 18th February18th March1st & 15th AprilFOR INFORMATION PLEASE CALL 07903 314276Keep Fit Stay Fit every Wednesday 10.15-11.15am at Christ Church with St Philip, Ruskin Road. Come along and give it a try !For more information please call Jo Hamilton on tel 020 8786 3444

Worcester Park Life needs YOU!!!We are wanting to get information together for a Clubs page. So if you belong to a local club, group or organisation and want to attract new members please email:[email protected] may also want to write an article. Remember, if you’re not in it to make a profit then your listing is absolutely free. So what are you waiting for.... WPLife

Help us to help you by becoming a member of WPRAIt’s simple to join and only £4 per year per household. This subscription goes towards the cost of producing 3 or 4 newsletters you will receive each year, Sutton councils weekly planning application list ( by email only) postage costs and the hiring of halls for our meetings and the AGM.For an application form please call Tom on 8330 2299 who will drop a form into you.East Surrey Family History SocietyFor those who are interested in finding out how to investigate their family history the Sutton Branch of the East Surrey Family History Society holds meetings on the first Thursday of the month at St Nicholas Church Hall, Robin Hood Lane. Most months we have a professional speaker.Here is what we have on offer for the next few months6th January Paul Blake Crime, Criminals& Punishment in England Paul is a professional genealogist & President of ESFHS3rd February Else Churchill English Parish Record Else is the Genealogist at the Society of Genealogists3rd March Geoff Swinfield Tracing Living Relatives & Missing People. Geoff has a Ph D in genetics & is a professional genealogist.

wplife.co.ukTo advertise next

month call 020 8336 2915

Cypress Garden Services“A cut above the rest”

One Off Tidy-upsRegular maintenance

Grass CuttingHedge Trimming

LandscapingTree Surgery

Stump GrindingStrimming and WeedingPath & Patio Washing

Garden Waste Removed For a free quote call Andrew Cudd

020 8942 9554 07958 727272

[email protected]

Andy ReevePlumbing & Heating Engineer

ALL PLUMBING SERVICES from tap washers, toilets & garden taps

through to installation of Central HeatingSystems, Kitchens & Bathrooms.

No call out charges. Over 25 years in the trade.

Mob : 07973 733649 / Tel : 020 8393 [email protected]



Park Life

If your group isn’t featured please email [email protected]

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

Kingston, Surbiton, Raynes Park, Worcester Park and Thames Ditton 020 8286 6038

email: [email protected]

www.littlekickers.co.uk

N substitute.

Nothing is more rewarding than watching a child learning new skills, keeping fit and loving every minute of it! That’s why more and more parents are bringing their children along to our training sessions.APPROVED FOOTBALLTRAINING FOR KIDSFROM18 MONTHSTO UNDER 5

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

HK No Sub 92x62 col port March 09.pdf 18/3/09 22:39:19

Fun for the under 5s

kidsWednesdayChrist Church with St Philip Parent and

Toddler Group 9.30 until 11.15am - see MondayThursdayEpsom & Ewell Toy Library term time 9.30 to 12.30 at Riverview Children’s Centre, Riverview Primary School, West Ewell, which is just off of Ruxley Lane (at the ewell By Pass end). 0208 337 7310 Refreshments are available, so come along to play & have a cuppa and a chat! £3 to join/year, please bring 2 forms of IDFriday

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

St. Mary’s Parent and Toddler Group meets 10.00 - 11.30am in the Parish Centre. Families enjoy

making new friends in a relaxed atmosphere, while their children play safely. Ladies from St. Mary’s Mothers’ Union serve refreshments during the morning for both adults and children. Feel free to pop in and check us out

any Friday morning during term time; you can be sure of a warm welcome. For

more information, please contact the Parish Office tel: 020 8337 4026


WorcesterPark Life

43

43

Baby Signing Worcester Park library

Learn simple signs to find out what your little one is thinking and feeling in fun, informative sessions taught by a qualified

sign language interpreter

“An excellent course. Taught by a lively, vibrant teacher. We both had lots of fun and laughs and learnt a

valuable skill”

Paula Cox 020 8404 1432 / 07811 278542

[email protected] www.sunnysigners.co.uk

fun, educational

music classes for babies, toddlers & preschoolers

enrolling now in

Worcester Park, KT4

Have fun & help develop your child’s

creativity co-operation listening communication language skills

Our classes fill up fast, so contact Ginger now on

07525497124

or email [email protected]

www.musicalsteps.co.uk

SchoolsCheam Common Junior School 020 8337 1844Cheam Common Infant School 020 8337 4152Cuddington Community Primary School 020 8716 2677Dorchester Primary School 020 8330 1144Green Lane Primary School 020 8337 6976Linden Bridge School 020 8330 3009Malden Parochial Primary School 020 8337 4804CouncilsKingston Council 020 8547 5757Sutton Council 0208 770 5070Epsom & Ewell 01372 732 000PoliceWorcester Park Police Office, 154 Central Road, 020 8649 3590 07843 065915In an emergency dial 999

DoctorsManor Drive Surgery 0844 4778795 Auriol Medical Centre 020 8337553PharmaciesPlough Green Pharmacy364 Malden Road, Worcester Park 020 83372083 Concept Chemist 127 Manor Drive North, New Malden 020 83374618 Ruxley Pharmacy 2 Ruxley Lane 020 83932094 Victoria Chemist524 London Road, North Cheam, Surrey, SM3 8HWTel: 020 82874777 Sainsbury’s Supermarkets Ltd566 London Road, North Cheam 020 8641 6148 Nima Chemist58 The Broadway, Stoneleigh 020 83932106 Patson Chemist67 The Broadway, Stoneleigh 020 83932342 Alliance Pharmacy322a Malden Road, North Cheam 020 86448139

Useful Information



Park Life

• Back pain & pelvic problems

• Sports injuries & rehabilitation

• Neck & shoulder conditions

ACHES & PAINS?

For gentle and effective treatmentContact your local osteopath

Renuka de Lima020 8330 7675

www.renukadelima-osteopath.co.uk

• Back pain & pelvic problems

• Sports injuries & rehabilitation

• Neck & shoulder conditions

ACHES & PAINS?ACHES & PAINS?ACHES & PAINS?ACHES & PAINS?ACHES & PAINS?ACHES & PAINS?ACHES & PAINS?ACHES & PAINS?ACHES & PAINS?ACHES & PAINS?ACHES & PAINS?ACHES & PAINS?ACHES & PAINS?ACHES & PAINS?ACHES & PAINS?ACHES & PAINS?ACHES & PAINS?ACHES & PAINS?ACHES & PAINS?ACHES & PAINS?ACHES & PAINS?ACHES & PAINS?ACHES & PAINS?ACHES & PAINS?ACHES & PAINS?ACHES & PAINS?ACHES & PAINS?ACHES & PAINS?ACHES & PAINS?ACHES & PAINS?ACHES & PAINS?ACHES & PAINS?ACHES & PAINS?ACHES & PAINS?ACHES & PAINS?ACHES & PAINS?

For gentle and effective treatmentContact your local osteopath

Renuka de Lima020 8330 7675

www.renukadelima-osteopath.co.uk

Timely ReminderFollowing on from last months good news on crime figures, the latest statistics have arrived from Sutton and they confirm that the expected rise in burglaries due to the festive season has taken place. This rise in activity has been mainly on the east side of the borough, however, there have been a couple of residential burglaries in the Worcester Park area where jewellery, watches and satellite navigation systems have been stolen. So this is as good a time as any to remind you of measures you can take to ensure your property is not seen as an easy target.

How does a burglar’s mind work?Burglary, on the whole, is an opportunist crime. A burglar will select his target because it offers him the best opportunity to carry out his crime undetected and with the fewest number of obstacles in his way. A building that presents itself as unoccupied and insecure is far more likely to be targeted than one which is properly secured:• Side gates open

• Accessible windows open • Ladders left out,

allowing access to otherwise inaccessible windows • Garden tools available to force entry • Untrimmed hedges or high fences preventing natural surveillance

Each of these makes access to the building far simpler and is an indication to the prospective burglar that it’s worth a second look. Residents of multi occupancy dwellings or flats should be

mindful not to grant entry to people via an entry phone system, if they do not know them, and to be cautious of people seeking to ‘tailgate’ them into buildings. Please also ensure that you do not leave any valuables including car keys visible near the front door as there have been a few letterbox burglaries among those mentioned above. Just a few ideas to help you protect your property, I’m sure many of you will have already taken steps to upgrade your security.

Whilst on the subject of burglary, It’s a pleasure for me to tell you about a tremendous instance of the Worcester Park community working well with the police. Acting on information from a resident about unusual movements coming from the neighbouring dwelling and knowing what we knew about commercial burglaries in that particular area, we were able to piece together what was going on. With the help of updates from the neighbour, we made plans and entered the property early one morning and arrested three males who had in their possession a large quantity of stolen lead. The three are known to police and investigations into their unlawful activities are ongoing. They are currently on police bail.Staying on the theme of good news, the total number of reported crimes in Worcester Park in 2010 was 216 compared to 305 in 2009. That’s a fall of 29%. Also in Worcester Park, the total number of calls police received relating to anti social behaviour in 2010 was 188 compared to 220 in 2009. A fall of 15%. Proof that neighbourhood policing is working well.

Bad news? You’ll have to wait a whole month for my next article.For more information and tips on how to secure your home, visit: www.met.police.uk/crimeprevention or go to your nearest police station or call 0300 123 1212.Please stay vigilant! WPLife

Worcester Park Safer Neighbourhood Team, 020 8 649 3590 [email protected] Nonsuch Safer Neighbourhood Team, 0208 721 2491 [email protected] 154 Central Road, Worcester Park In an emergency always dial 999.

Make ours a saferneighbourhoodby PCSO Gary Weaving

policing


WorcesterPark Life

45

45

You are taking them

WHERE?

dads diary"Grown-ups never understand anything for themselves, and it is tiresome for children to be always and forever explaining things to them" - The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery

You are taking them where?Her godmother was aghast, "You are taking my goddaughter (Age seven and three quarters) to see JLS at the O2. Are you sure?" Well, we had been up to that point. She didn't appear to have any objections to our daughter's taste in music so what was it that made her question our parenting skills, the journey, the crowds, the late night? However confident we were that she could handle it now there was this pressure – we all want to be seen as a good parent. Perhaps we shouldn't have admitted to what thousand of others were doing that Saturday night. Guilty? Not Guilty or Un-proven?So, what else are parents guiltily hiding from the friends, family and other parents for fear of being cast out of polite society? Leaving them at home will they pop to the to the newsagents for a paper and a pint of milk or for a latte in Il Chicco's? Letting them wear make up? Allowing them walk to school or the corner shop on their own. Agreeing to them have a Facebook account? Giving them a mobile phone? Any of these might be okay if your child was sixteen but what about eleven or six?Home AloneDespite the fact that many people believe the magical age children can be left alone is fourteen, there is no minimum age when you're legally allowed to leave them. However, it is an offence if it puts them at risk. Parents can be prosecuted if they leave a child unsupervised ‘in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to health’ (Children and Young Person’s Act). 'The law is unclear,' says the NSPCC, "'If a child is happy to be left alone for short periods of time, that could be acceptable. It's important that the parent and child talk about leaving him or her alone. A child can seem mature with a lot of bravado, but may actually feel very insecure about being left alone.' The NSPPC suggests a number of things to consider before you decide to leave a child alone. These include: the age of the child, the child's level of maturity and understanding, the place where the child will be left, how long, and how often, the child will be left alone and whether or not there are any other children with the child.Walking to SchoolI'm sure many of us have pondered the question of when to let our little ones travel to and from school on their own. In September 2010, Lincolnshire County Council

threatened a father with “child protection issues” for allowing his seven-year-old daughter to walk twenty metres from their home to the school bus stop unaccompanied. Was he being irresponsible? Did he not fear for her safety? What about all the terrible people out there waiting to abduct her?

Or was it far from this being bad parenting, was he not allowing her freedom and teaching her about safety and responsibility surely a crucial part of bringing children up? Daughter number one nagged and nagged to be allowed to walk to school alone (probably because she thought she might be allowed a mobile phone "just in case"). Having done it once, in the last year of primary school, she was quite happy then to be accompanied - could it be that children have an innate need to test themselves, to experience danger and overcome it and make small judgments about their own safety? Or perhaps an even bigger need to think that their parents trust them to do so?

PS. According to the Children's Legal Centre:At Five: you can drink alcohol in private; must receive full-time education; have to pay a child's fare on trains.At Seven: you can open a National Saving Account.At Ten: you have full criminal responsibility and can be convicted of a criminal offence. At Twelve: you can be trained to participate in dangerous performances subject to the grant of a local authority licence and see a 12A film at the cinema unaccompanied by an adult.At Thirteen: join Facebook.At Sixteen: you can join the army / get married with your parents consent and are allowed to buy tickets (or scratch cards) in a registered public lotteryAt Seventeen: you can hold a valid, provisional driving licence.At Eighteen: you can buy alcohol or drink alcohol in a pub, buy tobacco, vote in a General Election. WPLife



Park Life

BeautyFine Features 38 Children’s entertainment Baby Signing 43 Dramabuds 42 Little Kickers 42Musical Steps 43Care ServicesHome Instead 31Time to Care 11 Car maintenance & repairShannon Corner Service 15Centre CashCash Exchange 9 Cleaning servicesBits and Bobs 27 Driving SchoolsRoberts Driving School 29 Education & classesLinley House School 35 The Study School 28 Food & Drink Lake Thomas Cakes 31 Midas Touch 47 HealthOsteopath 44 Home, gardening, decorating AC Gardening 8 A Hendry Roofing 172nd Nature Landscapes 21Cypress (Garden Services) 41Elegant Curtains 20Hillside Carpets 11

Garden Plan 13JKN Hanging 16 Robinson & Son painters 22& decorators RJ Trees 36 InsuranceA Plan Insurance 3Injura Kitchens, bathroom & plumbingAndy Reeve Plumber 41Bathroom Refurbishment 32 Kitchen Wizard 12 Dreamdoors Kitchens 33Platinum Kitchens 6Smith & Byford 30 Top Drawer kitchens 39 PropertyBrowns Residential 23 Freedom Property Investments 18 Neil Innes Inspection 37ShoppingThe Bentall Centre 2Unilet Sound & Vision 19Sport and LeisureGee-Force Dance 29Kibg George Indoor Bowls Club 37Malden Centre 48Lesley Salt Pilates 21Moves Fitness 22 TaxisOak Radio Cars 10 Windows and ConservatoriesAll In One Glazing 14

We endeavour to keep the magazine as varied as we can with lots of editorial content. If you’d like to write an article for the magazine, whether it’s a memory, gripe, thank you, investigation, bit of advice, challenge, something you feel passionately about, or an article about the club that you belong to, please get in touch.Please note that the opinions expressed in this magazine do not necessarily represent the views of the editor. All advertisements are commercial and not indicative of any endorsement by the editor who accepts no responsibility for any loss suffered directly or indirectly by any reader as a result of any advertisement or notice published in this magazine.All in-house artwork and editorial presented in this magazine remains the copyright of Malden Media.No part of this magazine may be reproduced, stored on any retieval system, or transmitted in any form

To advertise call 020 8336 2915www.nmvv.co.uk

index


WorcesterPark Life

47

47

Garden Plan 13JKN Hanging 16 Robinson & Son painters 22& decorators RJ Trees 36 InsuranceA Plan Insurance 3Injura Kitchens, bathroom & plumbingAndy Reeve Plumber 41Bathroom Refurbishment 32 Kitchen Wizard 12 Dreamdoors Kitchens 33Platinum Kitchens 6Smith & Byford 30 Top Drawer kitchens 39 PropertyBrowns Residential 23 Freedom Property Investments 18 Neil Innes Inspection 37ShoppingThe Bentall Centre 2Unilet Sound & Vision 19Sport and LeisureGee-Force Dance 29Kibg George Indoor Bowls Club 37Malden Centre 48Lesley Salt Pilates 21Moves Fitness 22 TaxisOak Radio Cars 10 Windows and ConservatoriesAll In One Glazing 14

*evenings only

*

Please produce this voucher when claiming. Only one main per voucher.



Park Life

*When paying in advance for one year.

www.kinetikagyms.co.uk

Take out a gym membership and enjoy

Limited offer, call us today!

Membership includes:

www.kinetikagyms.co.uk

*When paying in advance for one year for gym or swim memberships. Terms & conditions apply. Offer available until 28 February.

3months

free& no VAT increase*

Facilities managed by DC Leisure in partnership with Kingston Council

Malden CentreBlagdon Road, New Malden020 8336 [email protected]

Tolworth Recreation CentreFullers Way North, Tolworth020 8391 [email protected]

Kingfi sher Leisure CentreFairfi eld Road, Kingston020 8546 1042enquiries@kingfi sherleisurecentre.co.uk

Kingsmeadow Fitness and Athletic CentreKingston Road, Kingston020 8547 2198enquiries@kingsmeadowfi tnessandathletic.co.uk

Unlimited access to gym, 5 free 1–to–1 sessions with a fi tness instructor, swimming, workout classes, racket sports and much more.

worcester park life issue 33 feb 2011

Documents

new cards

februarys worcester

village voicein new

chinese new year

home insurance0208

kings speech shoppersat

local information34

age concernindependent