1. law, govt and politics
2. law enforcement
3. police

WITH
LIVING IN
Properties from the area’s
top sales & lettings agents
A Bigger, Better, Brighter Read
Vol. 10 Issue 8
April 2015
www.livingwithin.com
U16s deliver silverware
for Claygate Royals FC
A 2-0 win at Hampton ensured that the
U16 Claygate Griffins were crowned SPL
Div 1 Champions with three matches of
the season still to play, giving Claygate
Royals FC their first success of the
2014/15 season. And their record at the
end of the season is certainly worthy of
a title-winning side: Played 16, won 13,
Drawn 2 and Lost just 1, scoring 52 goals
in the process and conceding a mere 9.
Manager Chris Bath said that the
impressive defensive record was certainly
a major factor in their success: “Huge
plaudits to the team for that - especially
the defensive midfielders and the players
that play in defence itself, with a special
mention to Captain and leader Max
Matchett. I’ve rotated three players
through the keeper position (Austin
From Page 13
Thomas, Charlie Etheridge and James
Wilson) as neither one wanted to go
in goal permanently and it has worked
out really well. Each keeper has kept
brilliantly.”
Twelve of the 16 man squad have got on
the score sheet. Chris’s son, Daniel, is top
goal scorer with 21 from all competitions
followed by Alfie Wolstenholme with 13.
Remarkably, Chris has managed the core
of the team since U7/U8.
“It’s been a huge pleasure to coach them
and see them grow. They are a top bunch
of lads and I wish I could mention them all
by name but they know how very proud of
them I am,” he said.
Chris was also keen to give thanks to the
team’s loyal fans and a special mention to
his assistant Tim Hester.
Criminals leave
empty handed
from Thames
Ditton property
A Thames Ditton resident was thankful
when his property was broken into last
month but nothing was taken.
The incident happened soon after
5.00pm on Tuesday 10 March when
offenders broke into a property on
Onslow Way by forcing entry through a
rear window.
One man was seen in the area around
the time and officers would like to talk to
him in connection with the incident.
He is described as a white man,
approximately five feet seven inches tall,
of athletic build and wearing a silver or
grey hooded top worn with the hood
up and reported as running towards
Newlands Avenue.
Investigating officer Detective Constable
Lyndsay Parfitt said: "The offenders may
have been disturbed during the burglary
as thankfully nothing was taken. This
occurred in broad daylight and I would
urge anyone who saw or heard anything
suspicious around the time of the incident
to contact us with any information as any
detail, no matter how small, could prove
vital in helping the investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to call
Surrey Police on 101 quoting reference
45150020269.
For more local news, as it happens, visit
www.livingwithin.com
Alan Ayckbourn’s Ten Times
Table heads to Claygate stage
Alan Ayckbourn's comedy Ten Times
Table should prove a big draw when it
hits the stage in Claygate this month.
Written in the 1970s, this timeless
classic draws on the playwright's own
experiences of serving on committees
to characterise a project doomed to
failure. When a group of local worthies
decides to put on a pageant based on a
somewhat vague event in local history,
the Massacre of the Pendon Twelve,
there is only one way the celebration
can end - in confusion and chaos.
With a left-wing schoolteacher and
the right-wing wife of the chairman
on the committee it is a recipe for war.
The pageant inevitably develops into a
rallying point for the opposing factions,
culminating in a disastrous and farcical
event.
The director for Claygate Dramatic
Society is Liz Ness, whose last
production for the society was JB
Priestley's When We Are Married.
She has also appeared in numerous
plays herself, including CDS's much
acclaimed recent performances of
Arsenic and Old Lace and Calendar
Girls.
She said: "Many of us have served
on a committee at some time and this
play has all the elements to make us say
'never again! '. There is the pedantic
bore, the bossy one, the divisive radical
trying to twist things his way, and a
chairman desperately trying to keep
the peace. And with an elderly, hard of
hearing secretary, the minutes could
make interesting reading! Ayckbourn's
brilliant script guarantees a riotous
evening."
Ten Times Table is at Claygate Village
Hall, Church Road, Claygate, KT10 0JP
on Thursday 16 to Saturday 18 April
at 8.00pm. Tickets, £10 from the box
office on 01372 466621.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
11
Travel
10
Reed’s - World Tennis Champs
WWW.LIVINGWITHIN.COM
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21
Food & Drink
2
Kit Kardashian
Email [email protected]
–
12
Gardening
Telephone 01276 858750
2
LIVING WITHIN April 2015
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Due to pressure from increasing visitor numbers
and notably from dogs not being kept under
control, the skylark population within Richmond
Park and Bushy Park has declined rapidly over the
last five years.
It is predicted that without urgent action, this
species may be lost from the park. This would
result in the loss of one of the closest populations
of skylark to central London.
The skylark is a small, streaked brown bird,
larger than a sparrow but smaller than a Starling.
They are a ground-nesting bird, which breed from
March to September.
To reduce the impacts on ground-nesting birds
such as the skylark, the Royal Parks require all
visitors with dogs to keep them on a short lead
A man has been arrested in Weybridge following an
incident in which members of the public reported
seeing someone with a firearm in a woodland area
near Brooklands Industrial Park off Sopwith Drive.
The incident occurred between 4.00pm and 5.00pm
on Tuesday 24 March.
The National Police Air Service helicopter and
Armed Response Vehicles were deployed and a man
was detained at the scene. An air rifle was also found
in the area.
The police said a 27 year-old man has been arrested
on suspicion of possessing an air weapon in a public
place and has been released on bail until Friday 1 May.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Lyndsay
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Skylarks leaving Bushy and Richmond Parks
and to stay on the paths during the nesting season
(March to September) when walking through
Lawn Field and Crown Field in Richmond Park,
and Hare Warren (to the north of the Royal
Paddocks) in Bushy Park.
Notices will be installed at the entrances to the
'dogs on leads' zones.
The skylark is a fully protected species under the
Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended),
which makes it an offence to kill, injure or take
an adult skylark, or to take, damage or destroy an
active nest or its contents.
Any person found to be contravening these
notices or contravening the Wildlife & Countryside
Act could be liable for prosecution by order of the
Secretary of State.
Witness appeal after man seen with
firearm in Brooklands, Weybridge
Tim Reed, Managing Director
• Viewing at our showrooms or
in your own home
A big bottomed cat from Cobham is looking for a
permanent home after her owner sadly died. Dubbed
'Kit Kardashian' because of her very large behind,
nine-year-old Phoebe is currently in foster care at
Blue Cross in Cobham until she finds a new home.
She currently weighs 8.4kg and will need to stick to a
special diet programme to reduce her weight - and her
rear.
Blue Cross has quoted Phoebe as saying: "I'm a very
sweet girl, but these cheeky Blue Cross people have
nicknamed me Kit Kardashian because my bottom is
a bit too big! They have put me on a weight reducing
diet to help me feel more comfortable - it's not what
I've been used too but I feel much better for it already
and have been learning how to play so that I exercise
too. My foster carer tries to take my mind off my food
by playing with me and stroking and combing me - all
of which I love! I am looking forward to finding a new
home, with an owner who will continue to help me
reduce my weight. I would probably be better if I lived
as an only cat as this is what I have been used to, and
also it would mean that there wouldn't be any other
food around for me to help myself too. I like exploring
in the garden so would really like a garden in my new
home."
If you would like to meet Phoebe or want to know
more about her, telephone 0300 777 1929.
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Parfitt said: "We understand incidents such as this
can cause concern but I would like to reassure the
community that they are not at risk.
"We have already spoken to a number of people
who were in the area at the time; however we believe
there may have been others, including several people
walking their dogs, who have no yet come forward.
"If you were one of those people or know somebody
that was in that area please get in touch immediately."
Anyone with any information should contact
Surrey Police on 101 quoting the reference
number 45150024440. Alternatively you can
report it anonymously to the independent charity
Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.
LIVING WITHIN
01276 858750
[email protected]
D3B Fairoaks • Chobham • Surrey GU24 8HU
April 2015 LIVING WITHIN
Esher College win Surrey six-a-side
womens football tournament
Nine members of Esher College's women’s
football squad recently headed back to Thames
Ditton triumphant from the Surrey 6-a-Side
Women’s Football Tournament.
Ten teams from across Surrey and South
London attended the competition at Woking
Leisure Centre, which was organised by Surrey
FA.
Esher College went undefeated throughout the
group stage and progressed to the final.
The final saw them facing Strode’s College and
the going was tough at the start. Esher went a
goal behind early on but then fought back to
make the score 1-1. Then they put another past
the Strode's keeper to lead 2-1. No further goals
were scored and so Esher won the cup in a very
well deserved victory.
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halt at the end of the Monday rush hour.
Three men were detained after the electric
power supply was cut off by Network Rail.
A British Transport Police spokesman said the
men were arrested on suspicion of illegal entry
into the UK.
Asked on Twitter if the two incidents were
related, Surrey Roads Police said they were
sure the men on the railway tracks would have
"got out of an HGV at Cobham" but whether or
not it was the same HGV as the one from which
the 14 people were detained was "likely but not
confirmed".
Surbiton restaurant
Trains delayed
with illegal workers by explosion just
has license suspended outside Weybridge
Kingston Police have reported that the East India
restaurant in Brighton Road, Surbiton has had
its license suspended for two months after blatant
breaches of its licence and for the employment of
illegal workers.
On 29 January 2015 the Metropolitan Police served
an application for the review of the restaurant's licence
under the prevention of Crime and Disorder licensing
objective.
On Friday 9 January 2015, Home Office Immigration
Officers attended the East India restaurant. It was on
this occassion that two members of staff were found
to be working at the venue illegally and subsequently
arrested. Both of the men were Bangladeshi.
The restaurant had previously been found to be
employing three illegal workers in June 2014.
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Further haul of suspected asylum
seekers jump from lorry at Cobham
Another month, another report of suspected
asylum seekers being arrested in Cobham.
On Monday 23 March the police were called to
M25 Cobham Services at 6.00am after receiving
reports that a large number of people had jumped
out of the back of a lorry.
A spokesperson from Surrey Police said:
"Fourteen people have been detained on suspicion
of entering the country illegally and have been
taken into custody. The matter will be passed over
to UK Visas and Immigration."
Later that morning trespassers were found on
railway tracks near Cobham, bringing trains to a
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Residents in properties in the Oatlands Avenue
area of Weybridge were woken on Thursday 26
March by an explosion on the railway line.
Fire and rescue crews from Sunbury and
Staines were called just before 5.55am after
two gas cylinders that were being used for track
maintenance exploded.
A railway spokesman said the explosion started a
fire but nobody was injured.
The incident meant that many morning
commuters arrived late for work because trains
were unable to stop at Walton, Hersham and Esher.
A British Transport Police spokesman said
enquiries are ongoing. The Rail Accident
Investigation Branch has been informed.
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[email protected]
Matthew Kallenberg-Pierce
FNAEA MARLA
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3
4
LIVING WITHIN April 2015
Chelsea FC stars of future
help launch community bus
Elmbridge offers new Nutella jar causes
business startup fund serious house fire
The Elmbridge Business Start Up Fund is
Elmbridge Borough Council's new initiative to
support those wanting to start a business in the
Borough. Launched this week, the scheme offers
one off payments, up to £1,000, for those starting
a business in Elmbridge.
The grant aims to support local businesses that
have been operating for less than six months with
start-up costs, which could include marketing
costs, purchasing of equipment or anything
that would help a business to start operating in
Elmbridge.
Councillor O'Reilly, Leader of the Council said:
"This new business grant scheme really highlights
the Council's strong commitment to the Elmbridge
economy, and will help to give start-ups a helping
hand. I would encourage start-up businesses in
the area to take advantage of the scheme."
Man dead in back
of van in Hersham
Chelsea's Premier League stars of the future
have launched one of Surrey's first community
bus services.
England youth internationals Jacob Maddox
and Martell Taylor-Crossdale, and Swiss youth
international Miro Muheim were on hand to
unveil the Chatterbus, which will run daily
between Cobham and Weybridge.
Most of the funding to run the bus was
provided by the football club and Surrey County
Council while Elmbridge Borough Council, care
firm Anchor, Cobham business Cargill and local
churches and charities also contributed.
The county council's Cabinet Member for
Transport John Furey said: "It's fantastic that
Chelsea have joined us in getting behind this
great community transport link.
"Our approach is all about working with
others, whether they're a famous football club, a
business or a charity, for the benefit of residents
and I'm sure this type of service could work
really well in other areas of the county too."
Local law firm Taylor Fordyce has since its start in 2010 always aimed to provide a first class legal
service to its range of clients from private individuals and small businesses to large enterprises,
developers, government institutions, international corporations and investors.
Taylor Fordyce are now pleased to announce the appointment of Family Law and Mediator
Martin Chambers at the Sunningdale office. Directors Peter Taylor and Rory Fordyce see the
further development of the Family Law department as a natural addition to the firm’s existing
company commercial, commercial property, litigation, employment, residential conveyancing
and general private client work.
Living locally, Martin has in excess of 30 years’ post
qualification experience. Martin is a member of the Law
Society Family Law Panel and of Resolution, the organisation
of family lawyers and other professionals who are committed
to the constructive resolution of family disputes. Martin
trained with Resolution as a Family Mediator.
Martin’s legal specialisms include divorce, judicial separation,
nullity, civil partnership breakdown and dissolution; other
relationship breakdown; financial, property and pension
issues following relationship breakdown; Children Act
matters; Inheritance Act and Trusts of Land Act Claims
together with the drafting of pre/post nuptial, pre/post civil
partnership, cohabitation and separation agreements.
Prior to joining Taylor Fordyce Martin worked for a number
of firms in Surrey, Hampshire, the City and the West End of
London, establishing family law departments at two London
practices.
Martin describes himself as an extremely experienced and
client focused family lawyer, committed to operating in an
approachable and down to earth manner, always to the
highest standards of quality and professionalism. He utilises
up to date technology and methods in providing legal
services and fosters links with many other professionals to
ensure high quality and efficiency.
Martin is married with two teenage children. He is a member
of the RG Blue Sox Softball Club. He also enjoys running. He
is a supporter of and volunteer collector for Help for Heroes
and a member of the Help for Heroes Running Team. He will
be running the London 10k 2014 in order to raise funds for
Help for Heroes. He is also a supporter of Helen & Douglas
House and of the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.
•
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•
•
•
•
•
•
•
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•
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Commercial
Property
Conveyancing
Construction
Planning
Corporate
Civil & Commercial
Litigation
Wills and Probate
Trusts
Matrimonial
Family Law
Employment
International
www.taylorfordyce.co.uk • email: [email protected]
61 Chobham Road, Sunningdale, Berkshire SL5 0DT Tel: 01344 637960
1 & 2, City Business Centre, Hyde Street, Winchester SO23 7TA Tel: 01962 841041
24 Upton Lovell, Warminster, Wilts BA12 0JW Tel: 01985 851206
A man has been discovered dead in the back of a
van in Assher Road, Hersham.
Firefighters, ambulance crews and the police
were called at around 10.00am on Tuesday 24
March.
A Surrey Police spokesman said: "The body of a
man, believed to be in his early 50s, was discovered
at the scene, where he was pronounced dead.
"Officers are carrying out a thorough
investigation into the circumstances surrounding
the death, but at this stage there is no indication
of any third party involvement or wider risk to the
local community.
"A post-mortem examination will take place in
due course."
Reports have surfaced that suggest it was
suspected chemical suicide.
The van has been removed from the scene.
Owner of terriers
that killed bichon
frise escapes
criminal action
The New Malden owner of two Staffordshire Bull
Terrier cross breeds that killed a Bichon Frise dog
has escaped criminal action.
Appearing at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court,
Claudia Arias (42) has been ordered to muzzle
both dogs at all times whilst in public.
Under section 2 of the Dogs Act 1871, Arias has
also been told that only a person over the age of 18
years may walk the dogs in public, and both dogs
must be kept on a lead no longer than 1.5m when
in a public place.
If the dogs are sold or given away, Arias must
provide the police with 28 days notice.
At the time of the attack Arai’s dogs were not on
a lead. Police attended the scene following a 999
call and were able to seize one of the Staffordshire
Bull Terriers. Officers were subsequently able to
identify the owner of the dog and the second dog.
PC Richard Borries said: “This matter has
clearly caused upset and distress amongst the
animal loving community and our local residents.
Although this outcome does not rectify the loss of a
beloved family pet, this does send a clear message
that the police take these matters seriously and will
bring irresponsible dog owners before the courts.”
in Twickenham
A home was badly damaged and a dog died
when a Nutella jar was left on a window sill in
Twickenham.
The blaze destroyed a first floor bedroom and
also damaged the roof while the family weren't
home.
Brigade fire investigators believe that the Nutella
jar - being used to collect loom bands - refracted
low sun light which caught the blinds alight.
Charlie Pugsley, from the Brigade's fire
investigation unit said: "It sounds far fetched
that a jar containing a few rubber bands caused a
severe house fire but that’s exactly what happened.
It’s worth spending five minutes checking that
your window ledges are clear of any glass or crystal
that might lead to potentially life changing blaze."
The fire was attended by four fire engines and
21 firefighters and officers from Twickenham and
Feltham fire stations.
Details about the cause of this fire comes days
after sunlight refracted off a mirror table at the
Mayfair home of lingerie tycoon Michelle Mone,
setting alight a bean bag.
Mystery deepens
in Lake Annecy
investigation
into murder of
Claygate family
The mystery surrounding the murder of a Claygate
family near the resort of Lake Annecy in 2012
deepened last month, as a suspect motorcyclist who
was seen near the scene of the murder was finally
tracked down. According to France Info, authorities
found no evidence to implicate the man.
Investigators found the suspect by crosschecking thousands of mobile phone records
against motorcycle-license data.
The biker, who has no criminal record, had
riden to the the Chevaline area from Lyon around
the time of the murder to practice his passion for
hang-gliding.
An investigator has now told France Info they are
95% sure he ought to be removed from the list of
suspects.
The motorcyclist said he did not "make the
connection" between his presence near the scene
of the killing and the identikit picture of him
which was circulated. Police released the image in
November 2013.
Saad al-Hilli, his wife Iqbal and mother-in-law
Suhaila al-Allaf were shot dead in their parked
car on a lonely road near to Lake Annecy on
Wednesday 5 September 2012. Daughters Zainab
(7) and Zeena (4) survived the attack. A French
cyclist, Sylvain Mollier, 45, was also shot dead in
the attack.
April 2015 LIVING WITHIN
Police clock Ferrari driver on M25
near Cobham travelling at 150mph
The driver of a Ferrari California has been arrested
following an incident in which two police cars
clocked the vehicle travelling at 150mph. The driver
was caught on the clockwise carriageway of the M25,
travelling between Junction 8 at Reigate and the A3
Wisley Interchange ay Junction 10.
The driver, from London, has been placed on bail
until Monday 18 May and his supercar has been
seized.
The police force tweeted a message
alongside a photo of the car:
#M25 J8-10 Ferrari California 150mph
with two police cars behind. Vehicle seized
and driver arrested.
The starting price for a Ferrari California is around
£155,000. The car accelerates from 0-62mph in 3.6
seconds and boasts a top speed of 190mph.
The police said they responded within three
minutes after receiving a number of calls from the
public about the driver.
Youth rehab order for dangerous driver
A 16-year-old boy who pleaded guilty to dangerous
driving has received a 12 month Youth Rehabilitation
Order.
On 19 October 2014 at approximately 2:30am police
received a call from a member of the public who stated
they were following a vehicle which was being driven
erratically. The car had gone through several red lights
and nearly collided with a member of the public at a
junction.
Police out on routine patrol spotted the vehicle in
Kingston Hall Road.
The driver continued to drive through Kingston
Town Centre before finally being stopped by police at
2:50am in Wheatfield Way, Kingston.
A 16-year-old boy was arrested for taking and driving
away, driving not in accordance with a licence, no
insurance and dangerous driving. He was also further
arrested for aggravated taking and driving away.
He recently pleaded guilty at Wimbledon Youth
Court to aggravated taking and driving away and
dangerous driving. He was sentenced at the same
court.
DI Simon Day, from Kingston CID, said: "This case
demonstrates the dangers that front line police officers
face on a daily basis. The driver acted in a reckless
manner. I am sure that the quick action of our officers
stopped other people including the driver becoming
injured."
Kingston man receives thousands of
bogus offers and competitions in post
Great
expectations
www.notredame.co.uk
Eleven bin liners worth of letters that turned out to
be postal scams have been removed from a home
in Kingston after a man living there responded to
competitions and offers he believed were genuine.
Enforcement officers said he was inadvertently
encouraging other scam mailers to target him.
Fortunately, as a result of the intervention by
Trading Standards, the resident is no longer
receiving the same volume of scam mailings and
is able to bin them, recognising them as the rip-off
that they are.
The Lead Member for Trading Standards,
Councillor David Glasspool, said: "Postal scams,
especially the prize draw ones, are a pernicious way
of conning people into paying money to fraudsters.
Most of these fraudsters are based abroad, and are
therefore very difficult to track down. Our main
efforts, therefore, are preventative and focused on
making people aware of what postal scams are like
and putting measures in place to prevent victims
from responding."
Millions of pounds are defrauded from people
annually through postal scams. Kingston Council
has been part of a national initiative for the past
year, the Scams Hub, funded by the National
Trading Standards Board and has been visiting
potential victims of scam mailings in our borough.
Over 200 potential postal scam victims were
identified in the borough by the Scams Hub and
the Kingston Council Trading Standards Team has
visited around 100 of them to ensure that they are
not defrauded by these scams.
To report a postal scam, residents can either
contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or report
it to Trading Standards by phoning the Citizens
Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06.
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Notre Dame School, Cobham 01932 869990
5
6
LIVING WITHIN April 2015
Epsom Derby Festival Ambassadors named Boyzone confirm
Sandown date
The Investec Derby Festival has announced
their 2015 Ambassador line-up starring fashion
entrepreneur and TV star Millie Mackintosh,
Britain's best-loved champion jockey Frankie
Dettori MBE, Olympic Gold Medallist and BBC
athletics presenter champion Denise Lewis OBE,
presenter and DJ Laura Whitmore and twostar Michelin chef Michel Roux Jnr. This year's
ambassadors were chosen to represent the many
elements that together make up the world famous
Derby Festival; from food to racing, fashion to
music.
The stable of talent were photographed together
to launch this year's Derby which takes place on
Friday 5 and Saturday 6 June. The world famous
Derby is considered one of the greatest sporting
and social events in the British calendar and is
estimated to attract over 125,000 visitors.
Millie Mackintosh said: "Racing is one of those
rare opportunities to combine glamorous outfits
with statement hats. I paired a Hobbs dress and
Philip Treacy hat during the shoot which I loved.
The Derby is the pinnacle of the summer season
and I'm looking forward to enjoying a spectacular
day out."
This will be Laura Whitmore's third year
attending the Investec Derby. She said the fashion
is just as much of a spectacle as the racing - "Which
is one of the reasons I love it. I really enjoyed the
shoot, getting to experience it with such a great
group of people was fun!"
Frankie Dettori commented: "The Investec
Derby is the most prestigious event in the racing
calendar and the ultimate test for horses and their
riders. It took me 15 attempts to win a Derby and
taking home the trophy in 2007 will always remain
one of my career highlights. The race still stands as
the greatest flat race in the world and the one every
jockey wants to win."
This is the second consecutive year Michel Roux
and Michel Roux Jnr will have their restaurant,
Chez Roux, at the Investec Derby. "A day at the
Derby isn't just about racing - it's about food, wine,
fashion and a great atmosphere," Michel Roux Jnr
said. "It's an honour for Chez Roux to be involved
in this event again and we look forward to cooking
up a storm during the two day festival."
Denise Lewis commented: "I love sport but not
everyone knows of my love for horses, I even have
shares in racehorses with Highclere. This will be
my first time at the Investec Derby. Epsom is one of
the few tracks I haven't been to and I can't wait to
see the leading equine athletes taking on its unique
challenge."
Ladies Day tickets start at £13.50 and Derby
Day tickets start at £15. For further information
on the enclosures and to book tickets please visit
www.epsomdowns.co.uk or call Epsom Downs
Racecourse on 0844 579 3004.
Boyzone are heading to Sandown Park this
summer for a night of music.
Having sold over 25 million records worldwide,
Boyzone are one of Ireland's two biggest boybands.
Known for hits including Love Me For A Reason,
Words, No Matter What and When The Going Gets
Tough they have had a total of 18 UK top 10 singles,
with six hitting the number 1 spot and have tallied
up five Brit Awards. Recently celebrating their 20
years as a band, they released their sixth studio
album From Dublin to Detroit last year, featuring
their favourite songs from the Motown era.
The action kicks off earlier in the evening with six
races - giving fans the chance to witness up close
powerful equine athletes who are stars in their own
right, and enjoy the thrilling drama and spectacle of
them racing for glory. Whether you fancy a flutter or
a dance with friends and family the event is certain to
be an odds on favourite for all, with tickets only £35.
Wednesday 29 July
Sandown Park, Portsmouth Road, Esher KT10 9AJ
Tickets Hotline: 0844 579 3012
David Hare’s iconic political
work heading to Rose Theatre
Rose Theatre Kingston, Headlong and Sheffield
Theatres' co-production of David Hare's searing
election play The Absence of War directed by
Headlong's Artistic Director Jeremy Herrin
arrives in Kingston on Tuesday 14 April and will
run until Saturday 25 April. A prophetic and
incisive study, Hare brilliantly captures an epic
personal struggle against the high-pressured
hysteria of the 1992 General Election.
Currently on tour, the play opened in Sheffield in
February garnering four star reviews.
Reece Dinsdale plays the charismatic Labour
leader George Jones. The remarkable cast
includes Theo Cowan, Amiera Darwish, Don
Gallagher, James Harkness, Charlotte Lucas,
Barry McCarthy, Maggie McCarthy, Cyril Nri,
Ekow Quartey, Helen Ryan and Gyuri Sarossy.
Directed by Headlong's Artistic Director Jeremy
Herrin, this vigorous new staging of Hare's funny,
stinging political drama embarks on a timely
national tour in the build-up to the 2015 Election.
The Absence of War reunites David Hare and
Jeremy Herrin who have previously collaborated
on South Downs (Chichester Festival Theatre/
West End) and The Vertical Hour (Royal Court).
Executive Producer of the Rose, Jerry Gunn
commented: "We are thrilled to reunite with
Sheffield Theatres on this co-production and
excited to work in partnership with Headlong
for the first time. Working with these highly
respected producing companies that consistently
produce work of an exceedingly high quality
and create world class productions is exactly the
direction we want to take at the Rose."
April 2015 LIVING WITHIN
Kew, Wisley, Polesden Lacey and
Claremont Garden record big
increase in visitor numbers
Visitors to the region's top garden attractions have
increased by around 6 per cent, according to the
Association of Leading Visitor Attractions.
Kew was named one of the top 20 most popular
visitor attractions in the UK, attracting 1,023,715
visitors in 2014 - a 6 per cent increase over the
previous year.
London's British Museum continues to be the
most popular visitor attraction in the UK followed
by The National Gallery and the Southbank Centre.
Kew is number 19 in the list, one ahead of Tate
Britain. RHS Wisley came in 30th place, which was
four ahead of the Eden Project. But Hampton Court
Palace saw a fall of 1 per cent in visitor numbers.
With 560,513 visitors it came in 56th place.
Polesden Lacey had 340,690 visitors, which
was a whopping 10 per cent increase. Claremont
Landscape Garden recorded a 6 per cent increase
with 182,350 visitors.
Museums & Galleries throughout the UK saw
a 6.09 per cent increase. Blockbuster exhibitions
continued to boost visitor numbers - with Tate
Modern welcoming a record 5,785,427 visitors
(4th place) - which was undoubtedly helped by
the Matisse exhibition, while the Ashmolean
Museum in Oxford saw a 16% increase aided by
the successful exhibitions of Francis Bacon / Henry
Moore, followed by Cezanne.
Bernard Donoghue, Director of the Association
of Leading Visitor Attractions, said: "Looking
forward to our 2015 figures, we are confident that
they will rise again with the anticipated increase in
overseas visitors this year, but we can also tell from
membership and Friends schemes that the Brits
are voting for tourism with their feet and wallets.
Our members continue to develop and push the
boundaries with more ground-breaking and
innovative exhibitions, which will attract record
numbers such as Alexander McQueen: Savage
Beauty at the V&A from March 14, to Audrey
Hepburn: Portraits of an Icon at the National
Portrait Gallery, which opens on July 2."
A funny, stinging
political drama
in the lead up
to the General
Election
Theatre Critics’ Pick
Sunday Times
‘Essential viewing’
Mail on Sunday
Directed by
Jeremy Herrin
Tue 14 - Sat 25 Apr
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Pagoda. Photo courtesy and
copyright: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Brit Award Winners
Go West
International Hits include We Close Our Eyes, Call Me, Goodbye Girl, Don’t Look Down and
King Of Wishful Thinking from the Hollywood Blockbuster Pretty Woman.
‘Intimate and epic’
THE
The Times
BOY IN THE
STRIPED
PYJAMAS
From the novel by
John Boyne
Tue 28 Apr - Sat 2 May
VOCA PEOPLE
The International Musical Comedy Hit
Ascot Charity Ball
The Grandstand, Ascot Racecourse
Saturday 16 May 2015 from 7.00pm
Black Tie
Sun 24 - Mon 25 May
Benefiting Action Medical Research, Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Services
and Berkshire Autistic Society, together with local charitable causes and community groups
rosetheatrekingston.org
Contact Nicky Pardo
01276 474667
[email protected]
020 8174 0090
(bkg fee)
World class theatre on your doorstep
(bkg fee)
7
8
LIVING WITHIN April 2015
Fatal traffic collision in New Malden
A pedestrian who died following a fatal collision
in New Malden has been named as 55-year-old
Stephen Law.
Police were called to reports of a road traffic
collision between a car and pedestrian on Kingston
Road, New Malden at 7.00am on Tuesday 10
March at the junction with Wellington Crescent.
London Ambulance Service attended and
Stephen from Mitcham, Surrey, was taken to a
west London hospital where he subsequently died
of his injuries.
Next of kin have been informed.
The driver of the vehicle concerned stopped at
the scene. No arrests have been made at this stage.
The incident is being investigated by the Serious
Collision Investigation Unit based at Merton
Traffic Garage.
Anyone with information or who witnessed the
collision is asked to contact the Met's Serious
Collision Investigation Unit on 020 8543 5157.
Elmbridge councillors block
Heathside School expansion
An Elmbridge planning sub-committee has voted
to refuse planning permission to expand Heathside
School in Weybridge. Surrey County Council was
looking to facilitate the expansion of the school by
one form of entry.
Seven of the eight members of the subcommittee were against the plan. They argued
that the traffic system in and around the school is
inadequate and voiced concerns that there would
be more accidents in the area unless significant
improvements were made.
In November, Surrey County Council had
announced that it agreed to invest at Heathside
School, subject to planning and consultation.
This step, they said, was necessary to meet
the basic need of rising numbers of students at
Secondary age in Weybridge.
This year, just over 82 per cent of Surrey children
looking for places in September 2015 were offered
their first choice school.
Heathside was originally built in the 1970s and
now has permanent accommodation for up to
1276 students. It currently admits seven forms of
entry. This includes a sixth form of around 230
students. Surrey is looking for incremental growth
at Heathside, starting with Year 7 in 2016, and
would be at its capacity (1430) with eight forms of
entry in every year group by 2020.
Schoool Principal, Mrs Anne Cullum said an
injection of capital funding is much needed.
"We are hoping that it will enable us to provide
additional teaching and other accommodation to
create a better learning environment for all of our
students."
The current site covers 48,230 square metres.
If the school is to expand more basic classrooms
will be required and it may be that some additional
specialist accommodation is also necessary.
Architects are looking at the possibility of
reconfiguring some areas to make maximum use
of space and improve the circulation around the
buildings and campus. Drawings are at an early
stage and staff and governors will play a role in the
development of any final design if the expansion
goes ahead.
It is proposed that the new classrooms will be
based on or near the existing foot print of the
school.
University technical college
for Surrey given go-ahead
A new college has been given the go-ahead to train
the next generation of cyber security, computing and
engineering experts in Surrey.
Plans have been approved for a university technical
college in Guildford for around 700 teenagers.
The bid to build the college, which is set to open
in September 2017, was put together by a group
including Surrey County Council, global information
technology company CGI and Royal Holloway,
University of London. Guildford College and
Guildford Education Partnership were among the
other backers.
Surrey County Council's Cabinet Member for
Schools and Learning Linda Kemeny said: "This is
great news for both employers and young people in
Surrey and beyond, with the new college equipping
teenagers with the skills they need to secure the jobs
of the future.
"With the ever growing threats posed by cyber
crime it will specialise in computer science and
training the next generation of experts to protect
businesses, government and the general public from
attacks while also helping to ease the huge strain on
school places in the county."
Tim Gregory, President CGI UK, said: "We are
delighted to support this initiative to develop and
professionalise ICT skills in young people. As a major
UK employer, we are keen to encourage the next
generation of IT professionals.
"With the developments in technology driving
a digitised world, and the need for key skills such
as cyber security, there are so many exciting
opportunities for the future and Guildford UTC will
help to ensure that young people have the skills to
become an essential part of the new digital economy."
Professor Paul Hogg, Vice Principal and Dean of
Science at Royal Holloway, University of London,
said: "As the world celebrates the 800th anniversary
of the sealing of Magna Carta in Runnymede, home
to Royal Holloway, this year we are reminded of these
modern threats to our freedom and personal liberty.
"At the new UTC, some of Royal Holloway's
brightest minds will inspire young people from
across the UK, helping them to develop skills that will
directly benefit the country as it faces these new and
complex challenges."
Elizabeth Meatyard wins Kingston
Hospital Volunteer award
Kingston Hospital's volunteers were recently given
recognition at the first ever Volunteer of the Year
Awards.
The awards which were held at the Trust's first
Volunteering Conference centred around the
Hospital's four values Caring, Safe, Responsible and
Value Each Other with two additional awards for
Personal Impact and Lifetime Achievement.
The Safety & Wellbeing Award went to Elizabeth
Meatyard and the Hardy Perennials. Elizabeth from
Thames Ditton, who is well known as a LIVING
WITHIN columnist, was nominated for the fantastic
work she has done to mobilise her group of friends
and contacts into becoming Dining Companions at
Kingston Hospital.
David Goldman also won in this category. He was
nominated for always showing commitment and
working behind the scenes to ensure clinical teams
have the health records they need for the effective
running of the service.
The Caring Award winner was given to the most
caring volunteer, Maureen Wilkins. Maureen was
nominated by two senior nurses for kindness and
compassion to all patients and their relatives.Gaye
Burrows was highly commended for this category.
The Volunteer Responsible Award went to Patricia
Hunt for looking out and speaking up for others.
Patricia was nominated for being instrumental in
setting up a new Kingston Hospital Tinnitus Support
Group.Jane Stephenson was highly commended for
this category.
The winner of the Value Each Other Award was
the Wolverton Centre Team & Michelle Harbulet.
Michelle was nominated for her happy personality
and working in a thorough and calm way in an often
hectic environment. The Macmillan Information
Centre Team were highly commended in this
category.
The Personal Impact Awardwent to Roxanne
Barker. This award is for putting patients and families
at the heart of everything and making significant
progress in their personal and/or professional life as
a result of their volunteering at Kingston Hospital.
Roxanne was nominated for being a real asset to
the Dementia Therapeutic Activities Programme.
Highly Commended went to Michelle Harbulet.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Dr
David May who was nominated by colleagues in
Maternity. David was an Obstetric Consultant at
Kingston Hospital from 1979 until 2001 and has
been volunteering in Maternity as a clinical support
volunteer since 2007.
Kingston Hospital's Head of Volunteering, Laura
Shalev-Greene, said: "I'm delighted to have given out
these awards to celebrate the work of our volunteers
and the huge impact they have across the Hospital.
We had so many nominations from staff, volunteers
and the public who have benefitted from the support
of our volunteers which is a testimony to the way
that volunteering has become central to the way we
deliver excellent care at Kingston Hospital."
In 2014, Kingston Hospital's Board signed off a
strategy for Volunteering that has seen the number of
volunteers grow from just 300 to over 700 in a year.
The Trust is lucky to have a 700+ strong community
of volunteers that play a vital role in the Hospital.
If you would like to get involved and become
a volunteer, contact Richard Coxon, Volunteer
Manager on 020 8934 3620 or email: richard.
[email protected]
Jail for Surbiton man who left hundreds of
abusive messages on his victims' phones
A man has been jailed for 16 months at Kingston
Crown Court for harassment after he left vile and
sickening voice messages threatening sexual violence
against his five victims - all women.
Elliot Mutch, 40, of Dennan Road, Surbiton,
pleaded guilty to five counts of harassment by
putting a person in fear of violence. He also pleaded
guilty to possession of a class C drug. His guilty pleas
were heard at a previous hearing at Wimbledon
Magistrates Court on Tuesday 10 February.
Mutch began his month-long campaign of
harassment on Saturday 1 November 2014. He did
not know any of his victims who all received the calls
at their place of work. He got the telephone numbers
from Yellow Pages.
Mutch would call the switchboard of his victim's
workplace and leave messages on their voicemail. His
first victim was a 33-year-old woman who worked at
an educational establishment. In an 11-day period
she received upwards of 40 voicemails. The victim
described the messages to officers as 'horrendous,
sexual filth'.
The second victim also worked within the same
establishment. She received 11 voicemails from
Sunday 9 November to Monday 17 November. These
made references to sexual violence.
The third victim, a 24-year-old woman received
calls to her mobile phone. Mutch left seven voicemail
messages between Monday 17 and Saturday 22
November whereby he threatened to sexually assault
her. The fourth victim, a 26-year-old woman received
30 voicemails in a two-day period in November
which were sexually aggressive and threatening.
The fifth victim was a 39-year-old woman who
received 13 voicemails in a 24-hour period yet again
referring to sexual violence.
Following an investigation by officers from
Kingston police, Mutch, who is a chef, was arrested
at his workplace on Friday 28 November in relation
to the first three victims. It was during interview that
Mutch mentioned there may have been more victims
to his harassment. Further investigations followed
and the other two victims were located by police.
Speaking to the officers who were investigating
Mutch one of his victims said: "I was in constant
worry, even when I was at home as I live alone. I was
always looking out my kitchen window and looking
behind me."
Another victim said: "I used to dread coming in
to work to check my messages; I couldn't stand to
listen to that creepy voice again. It caused me trouble
sleeping as I couldn't get rid of the voice in my head."
PC Chris Hindle, from Surbiton Hill Safer
Neighbourhoods Team, said: "Mutch said he used
the Yellow Pages to find numbers that were likely to
have women's voices on the answer machine. Whilst
under the influence of drugs he would leave vile and
threatening messages, but he was too afraid to speak
if anybody actually answered the phone. He has since
expressed regret and remorse for his actions and
assisted police throughout the investigation. He said
he never intended to carry out any of his threats.
"However, threatening to rape these victims put
them all in terrible fear of serious violence and Mutch
confirmed in interview that he knew his actions
would terrify these victims. The victims have all
stated how his crime has affected their lives; they
were too scared to walk home alone. It made the
victims paranoid and fearful.
"I believe there may be other victims in the area who
may have received similar messages at their place
of work. I want the public to know we will always
thoroughly investigate such allegations and bring
offenders to justice."
April 2015 LIVING WITHIN
CHAPTERHOUSE TO
TURN CLAREMONT INTO
SECRET GARDEN
Chapterhouse Theatre Company is on tour this
summer and heading to Claremont Landscape
Garden in Esher with The Secret Garden.
Join young Mary Lennox on her journey of
discovery as she travels to her uncle's house deep in
the Yorkshire countryside, where unexpected friends
and very magical creatures help her unlock the
mystery of the secret garden.
This most enchanting story, loved by children
and adults alike, is presented in some of the most
beautiful garden settings across the UK and Ireland
- including Claremont.
Alive with music and song and an array of especially
designed puppet creatures, Mary's story and The
Secret Garden promises to capture the very spirit of
summer and to be one of the highlights of the openair garden theatre season.
Claremont Landscape Garden, Portsmouth Road,
Esher KT10 9JG
Telephone 0844 2491895
Singaporean found
dead in student
halls in Kingston
Man who exceeded
40mph on a bike in
Richmond Park is
now facing expulsion
from his cycling club
A man prosecuted for riding his bike at excessive
speed in Richmond Park is facing expulsion from
one of London's leading cycling clubs, according to
widely circulated reports.
Last month at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court,
Rory Palmer (42) pleaded guilty to riding his bike at
41mph at Sawyers Hill in the royal park. The speed
limit for all traffic in Richmond Park is 20mph.
When traffic enforcement officers caught him as
he overtook cars on Friday 2 January, Mr Palmer
apologised.
In court he was fined £65, issued with a surcharge
of £20 and ordered to pay costs of £65.
According to the Evening Standard, Mr Palmer from Shepherd's Bush - may also face disciplinary
action from London Dynamo, his cycling club.
Around 30 cyclists were given warnings last year
by traffic enforcement officers when they were
caught speeding on Sawyer's Hill, and one man died
when he lost control on his bike.
Surrey hands cash
to Brooklands
Police officers have found the body of a 23-year-old
Singaporean in student accomodation opposite
Kingston Crown Court.
According to reports, the woman was found dead
at the scene in a room in Davidson House, Penrhyn
Road. Her death is being treated as non-suspicious
and next of kin have been informed.
International students from 154 countries study
at Kingston University. The university says 12 of
its students are from Singapore
Body of 80 year
old pulled from
River Thames
Police are investigating the death of a man in
his 80s, after his body was pulled from the River
Thames in Kingston.
The man was recovered from the Thames on
Sunday 22 March after the police were called at
around 5.30pm.
A lifeboat crew pulled him out of the water and
then an ambulance creeew arrived. They tried to
resuscitate the man but to no avail.
According to earlier reports, the man's car had
been parked on Kingston Bridge.
His death is not being treated as suspicious.
Formal identification has yet to take place.
With the new Formula One season now back in
action, Surrey County Council has announced that
Brooklands Museum has been awarded £225,000
to help restore part of the world’s first purposebuilt motor racing track to its former glory.
The money will go towards returning the
finishing straight to how it looked in 1939 when
the circuit was in its heyday and supporting the
expansion of the team in charge of educational
visits.
Surrey confirmed the funding as part of its efforts
to promote economic growth after Brooklands set
out plans to boost annual visitor numbers by 25%
to 215,000.
9
10 LIVING WITHIN April 2015
Reed’s School Cobham
wins World Schools’ Tennis
Championships in Doha
Following on from England's recent Davis Cup
success, Reed's School in Cobham, Surrey
won the prestigious World Schools' Tennis
Championships in Doha, Qatar last month for the
third time, giving England the honour of being the
country to have won the title the most times in the
history of the tournament, which comprises 16 of
the best teams from countries around the world
such as Australia, South Africa, China and Brazil.
Reed's School qualified for the event having won
the British Nationals in 2014.
The young team of five boys, all aged 15 to 16
years, wrapped up the final against Chinese Taipei
by winning 14 straight points in a row, to take the
tie 4-2. They had previously topped their group,
with convincing wins over Chile and Belgium,
followed by a close 3-3 draw with Australia before
facing Germany in the Quarters and Turkey in the
Semi-Finals. Director of Tennis at Reed's, Adrian
Blackman, commented, "The boys fought hard all
week; being crowned World Schools Champions
means a lot to the team and the whole school.
It's the result of a huge amount of hard work and
we'll go back to school next week and carry on that
work, with the Team Tennis Schools' National
Championships the next big set of fixtures in our
tennis calendar".
Jack Molloy, 15, who played at Number 1 for
Reed's said "The whole team have really enjoyed
the week, playing at an incredible venue such as
this. The chance to meet and make friends with
players from all over the world has been great, but
taking the title was really special".
Ben Haran, Head Coach at Reed's, added, "I
am absolutely delighted that Reed's have won the
2015 World Schools' Championships! Having
won the title twice before, we knew we were strong
Revised cycle lane plans
between Kingston and Surbiton
A set of revised plans to improve Portsmouth Road
were published last month, following an extensive
public consultation.
The new plans, which are part of the Council's
mini-Holland programme, now include a 600 metre
fully segregated two-way cycle lane running from
Portsmouth Road's junction with South Lane south
to its junction with Palace Road. From Palace Road,
south to junction with Brighton Road the plans now
show 700 metres of cycle route segregated using the
new type of divider called an 'armadillo' which will
offer additional protection for cyclists from motor
vehicles in both directions.
A new toucan crossing, for pedestrians and cyclists,
at the Palace Road junction will be put in place to
allow a safe change between the fully segregated
section and armadillo sections of the route.
To ensure buses can still use the route effectively,
the revised scheme includes 'floating bus stops'
which provide a safe space for bus passengers to wait
for buses. This will allow cyclists to ride around a bus
stop instead of waiting behind stationery vehicles
while the bus picks up and drops off passengers.
Councillor Richard Hudson, Chair of
Infrastructure, Projects and Contracts Committee,
contenders but couldn't have imagined how tough
the competition would be. We fought through an
epic match versus Australia in the group stages
and we came even closer to defeat in the final
against Chinese Taipei. The boys showed great
resilience and team work and I couldn't be more
proud of them! The tennis staff at Reed's spend
hours and hours working with these boys and
they also deserve great praise for this wonderful
achievement. Roll on Brazil 2017!"
Tim Henman, a former tennis scholar at Reed's
School, sent his congratulations too, saying, "I
am delighted to learn of yet another success for
Reed's School Tennis in the world arena. Having
just opened the new state-of-the-art Indoor Tennis
Centre at Reed's it shows that hard work and
dedication from the boys and the coaches, along
with excellent support from the LTA, pays off. This
is a model scheme and its success resonates with
the school's charitable Foundation which gives
opportunities for all to succeed."
UK no 1, Andy Murray, who had partnered one
of the team, Jack Molloy, in an exhibition match at
the recent opening at Reed's School, was obviously
thrilled because he took time out from playing in
the Indian Wells Masters to Retweet the news to
his 2.9 million followers!
and Lead Member for Capital, Projects and Contracts
including the Council's mini-Holland Programme,
said: "Over 700 people took part in the consultation
on our first set of plans and we thank all of those
who took the time to consider our original proposals
and get involved. I believe that this second proposal
shows we've listened.
"There was a clear desire for more segregation
between cyclists and motor vehicles and the new
plans have increased this segregation from 20 per
cent originally, to 85 per cent now.
"We have a vision where cyclists, new and
experienced, will feel safe and confident taking trips
along Portsmouth Road, whether it be for work,
study or pleasure. We want to create a route that
is fully accessible and attractive to pedestrians and
where motor traffic can continue to move freely."
More details about the revised scheme for
Portsmouth Road are available on the mini-Holland
pages of the Kingston Council web, www.kingston.
gov.uk/cycling or by viewing the presentation board
in the reception area of Guildhall 2, High Street,
Kingston upon Thames, KT1 1EU. The presentation
board will be on display until Friday 10 April during
normal office hours.
Training course date for volunteers
looking to help support people at
home facing life-threatening illness
Life threatening conditions are not something
we plan for. News that a loved one has cancer or
other life threatening condition comes as a great
shock. From that moment their life expectancy
is changed, their lives have changed and the
impact on the lives of those closest to them has
changed as all struggle to cope in coming to
terms with what lies ahead.
When a family member is diagnosed with
cancer or another life-threatening illness it
can be a lonely and frightening time. The
Brigitte Trust, in partnership with Macmillan
Cancer Support, offers a free volunteer service
of emotional support and practical help at
home. The service may also provide the family
carer with a break, driving to medical or other
appointments, shopping or just sitting quietly
and listening.
The Brigitte Trust, a registered charity
celebrating its 30th Anniversary in 2015, works
closely with health professionals and hospices
complementing their service by offering clients
and their family members time to share feelings
and concerns as well as practical help at home
when everyday tasks may have become more
difficult. Our volunteers also help clients access
community support.
The Brigitte Trust is recruiting for its next
training course starting in June 2015. Through
the programme volunteers will be equipped with
the skills to provide emotional support to people
and their families facing the huge challenges of
life threatening illness.
To express interest in becoming a volunteer or
just to find out more call 01306 881816 or visit
the charity’s website www.brigittetrust.org.
April 2015 LIVING WITHIN
Hurtigruten
A cruise feature by Greenstar Travel
Hinchley Wood tour provider to
present introduction to Iceland
If Iceland has long been on your wish-list of places
to visit, did you know there is a specialist tour
operator right on your doorstep? Hinchley Woodbased Iceland Traveller is holding an Introduction
to Iceland evening, to share their enthusiasm for
and expertise in all things Icelandic. They will also
be presenting their exclusive new tour for autumn:
Iceland’s Winter Wonderland: Weather, Fire &
Ice.
Guest speaker, Icelandic guide and film-maker
Bryndís Kristjánsdóttir, will be on-hand to answer
questions and introduce short films on the
Northern Lights and the Eyjafjallajökull volcano,
the eruption of which was causing such disruption
to air travel five years ago.
From the magnificent Norwegian fjords to the icefilled bays of Antartica, Hurtigruten is renowned
for its comprehensive and adventurous voyages to
some of the most remotely beautiful and dramatic
coastlines on the planet. Their fleet of 12 intimate
and comfortable ships will take you beyond the
realms of conventional cruises by offering voyages
that encounter environments, wildlife and people at
the very ends of the earth.
Hurtigruten’s ships have been an integral part of
Norwegian coastal life for over a century. Nowadays
they offer daily departures from Bergen crossing
the Arctic Circle to sail deep into the heart of this
spectacular landscape. These regular sailings call
into remote ports never visited by commercial
liners, delivering freight and passengers to isolated
communities lying against a backdrop of breathtaking fjords. Food on board is all locally-sourced
Offer:
Itinerary:
Departure:
Lead in price:
Board basis:
Add ons:
T& C’s:
Friday 24 April from 7.00pm to 9.00pm
St Christopher's Church Hall, Claygate Lane,
Hinchley Wood KT10 0AQ
Telephone 020 8398 9095
Email [email protected]
www.stchristopherschurch.org.uk
For all the local news
as it happens visit
www.livingwithin.com
and Hurtigruten take guests closer to the real
Norway than any cruise liner could ever dream.
A Norwegian Coastal voyage with Hurtigruten
between April and October offers the very best of
the country’s scenic and cultural wonders.
Great new flight inclusive departures
Bergen-Kirkenes-Bergen 12 Days
Selected dates between April and October 2015
From £1189pp
Full board
£100 On-board credit per person if booked before
Thursday 30 April 2015
Contact Greenstar Travel for full terms and conditions that apply
Greenstar Travel has been in Claygate for over 30 years and assists its clients in making their perfect
holiday choice. Contact Greenstar Travel for full details of Hurtigrutens fabulous choices of cruises.
11
12 LIVING WITHIN April 2015
Taxing
Times
with Graham Jennings
Q: I run a small business in the plumbing trade and I
need to buy a new van as my current one is becoming
unreliable. I really could do without the cost at the
moment so I am thinking about financing it. What
tax breaks are there to help me out with this?
A: There are a number of tax breaks available to you to
help take the sting out of the cost. The first one is VAT.
You do not mention whether you are VAT registered
but if you are your business can reclaim the VAT
charged to you. If you are buying second hand then
you will need to check with the seller whether there is
any VAT included within the selling price. If there is
do make sure you get a VAT invoice which states the
amount of VAT paid as evidence for your reclaim. If
you are buying new then there will be VAT included. If
the VAT inclusive price is, say, £20,000 then you will be
able to reclaim £3,333 in VAT.
The next allowance that needs to be considered is the
‘Annual investment allowance’. This allowance allows
a business to claim the full cost of capital expenditure
against profits in the year of purchase. The allowance
is currently very generous and is available for up to
£500,000 worth of capital items purchased between
now and 31 December 2015. This should be more
than sufficient for most small businesses. In tax terms
this would save tax and national insurance of between
29% and 47% of the cost of the van depending upon
level of earnings and the highest rate of tax you pay.
So using the example of the £20,000 van for a basic
rate tax payer the van would save £4,833 in tax and
national insurance in the year of purchase. So after
VAT and tax relief the van has cost £11,834.
In the recent budget the chancellor said that the
generous annual investment allowance would
continue beyond 2015 although he did say what it
would be other than that a reduction to £25,000 from
1 January 2016 “would not be remotely acceptable”.
Finally, you mentioned that you would be looking
to finance the purchase of the van and I assume you
mean by way of a bank loan or hire purchase. Whilst
finance increases the overall cost of the van, because
you will have interest to pay, the interest is also tax
deductible against profits. The interest is spread over
the term of the financing so you will get relief for this
over a few years.
Any reader interested in discussing this topic further
can telephone Graham Jennings on 01344 875000.
Send your taxation and accounting queries to
Graham Jennings, Kirk Rice LLP, The Courtyard,
High Street, Ascot SL5 7HP
Email [email protected].
Please note: answers are given
for general guidance only and
specific advice should be taken
before acting on any of the
suggestions made.
Call today on:
Telephone: 01483 820226 Mobile: 07939 688597
email: [email protected]
Good Gardening
with Alison Jones
April Gardening with Alison Jones
Spring is finally here, the temperature is climbing
and gardens are waking up. Give your garden some
attention by refreshing it with a flowering shrub or
two. This is an ideal time of year to get new shrubs
established, while the soil is damp and those April
showers will help with watering in. Browse round
the garden centre for inspiration.
The marguerite or Argyranthemum is one of our
plants of the month. It’s a charming daisy-like flower
in shades of white and yellow, through to pink and
purple. It looks lovely in garden borders or planted
in a container. Marguerite prefers full sun and welldrained soil. It can grow from one to three feet tall
and wide, flowering from now through the summer.
It’s popular with butterflies, and if you deadhead the
flowers, it will bloom prolifically.
Our other two plants of the month are the
rhododendron and the hydrangea. They are coming
into their prime now and look stunning in containers.
Healthy rhododendron specimens have loads of
colour, supported with lush green hardy foliage.
There are shades to match all tastes, from light pinks
to dark reds, purples, creams and white.
Both the rhododendron and hydrangea make
beautiful houseplants, and you can also plant them
outside. The hydrangea has gorgeous blooms with
the wow factor. In the garden it can look good planted
in front of larger shrubs, which will also give it some
much needed shade. In a sheltered spot it takes very
little care. Originally from woodland, they prefer
shady positions, although some can tolerate sunshine
– ask for advice in the garden centre if you’re unsure.
The rhododendron is ericaceous or acid-loving. If
you don’t have acid soil, plant it in generous amounts
of ericaceous soil from the garden centre to give it a
good start. You can also treat it to a regular ericaceous
feed during the flowering season and when it finishes
flowering. After planting use mulch, such as chipped
bark around the base of the plant to protect the roots
from drying out as they are fairly close to the surface.
Don’t give tap water to ericaceous plants – opt
instead for rainwater or boiled water from the kettle
that has cooled down.
As always, keep on top of weeding to stop them
taking over. It’s easy to pull up a few weeds here and
there when you’re out enjoying your garden bursting
into life. If you don’t already have a water butt, think
about investing in one so it can be full up by the time
the hot dry weather is with us. A mulch of compost
or well-rotted manure around established shrubs and
hedges will help keep moisture in the soil as well as
keeping weeds at bay.
Lastly, a quick reminder that there is a huge
selection of hardy shrubs and perennials of all sizes
and colours ready to plant into containers and
borders. If you’re getting into Grow Your Own,
there are masses of fruit and veg varieties ready to be
planted.
– Until next month, happy gardening!
Alison Jones is
Plant Buyer for
Garsons Farm
in West End, Esher
April 2015 LIVING WITHIN
Boyce Thornton
Cobham 01932 868 448
Oxshott 01372 844 200
Claygate 01372 470 123
The local property experts
Bracondale, Esher
£1,825,000
A well appointed and beautifully presented four double bedroom family home which has
been completely refurbished and finished to a very high standard. The property offers
flexible accommodation and benefits from a secluded westerly facing landscaped rear
garden, off street parking for a number of cars and a double garage.
EPC Rating B.
Woodstock Lane South, Claygate
£1,155,000
This well presented, semi-detached, period, family home has been sympathetically
extended and offers flexible accommodation. The property has four bedrooms, three
reception rooms and a vaulted ceiling family room with galleried area. Further benefits
include a secluded garden and double garage.
EPC Rating E.
Telegraph Lane, Claygate £665,000
The Roundway, Claygate £640,000
A well presented five bedroom family home situated
just a short walk from the local shops and station. This
property offers well proportioned accommodation, a
flexible floorplan and potential to extend (STP).
EPC Rating C.
A conveniently located three bedroom semi-detached
family home benefitting from off street parking. Situated
in a sought after semi-rural lane leading to Telegraph Hill
with the local amenities within walking distance.
EPC Rating D.
A four bedroom semi-detached property situated on
a corner plot in a quiet area of Claygate just moments
from the local shops and station. Offering the potential to
substantially extend the property (STP).
EPC Rating D.
Telegraph Lane, Claygate £630,000
Esher Park Avenue, Esher £575,000
Charlotte Lodge, Claygate £520,000
A well-presented three bedroom semi-detached family
home benefitting from off street parking, potential to
extend (STP) and no onward chain. Situated close to the
local amenities with Telegraph Hill just a short walk away.
EPC Rating D.
A well presented four bedroom extended family home,
situated just a short walk from Hinchley Wood Station
and shops. This property offers well proportioned and
spacious accommodation with a large rear garden.
EPC rating D.
£975,000
on
w N
ar o
d
ch
ai
n
Oaken Lane, Claygate
A well-presented first floor apartment with two bedrooms
and two bathrooms offeringprivate off road parking for
two cars and no onward chain. Situated within walking
distance of Claygate station and the local shops.
EPC rating C.
www.boycethornton.co.uk
13
LIVING
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WIT
ITHI
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HI
2015
15
14
1
4 LI
April 2015 LIVING WITHIN
Tel: 01372 471111
Email: [email protected]
CLAYGATE
£625,000
CLAYGATE
Web: www.catco.co.uk
Email: [email protected]
£600,000
HINCHLEY WOOD
£1,295,000
Rarely available; an immaculately presented ground floor luxury
apartment with two bedrooms and two bathrooms. The property
has the advantage of it’s own private garden and 2 private
parking spaces. Situated in this sought after location within easy
reach of Claygate’s shops and railway station. EPC Rating : C
Traditional semi detached home located in this favoured
road offering excellent extension potential subject to the
usual consents. The property benefits from three bedrooms
and good size rear garden. Viewing recommended!
EPC Rating: D
This substantial family home offers excellent well
planned family accommodation imaginatively designed
with a wonderful rear garden. Conveniently situated for
all of the amenities of Hinchley Wood. Early viewing
recommended! EPC Rating: E
CLAYGATE
CLAYGATE
CLAYGATE
£499,950
£449,000
£455,000
A rare opportunity to acquire this immaculately presented ground
floor apartment with two double bedrooms, one with ensuite
cloakroom. Additionally there is a spacious living room and fitted
kitchen. Set within a small development of only 6 apartments and
minutes away from local shops, café’s and station. EPC Rating: D
Superb 3 bedroom family home located opposite a central
green and offering well planned accommodation which
is very well presented throughout. Excellent rear garden
and to the front off street parking. Internal viewing highly
recommended! EPC Rating :D
Detached 3 bedroom house offering light and well planned
accommodation with the benefit of a newly fitted kitchen. Superb
spacious living room which overlooks a private rear garden.
Additionally, there is a garage with it’s own driveway. Situated close
to Claygate common. Viewing recommended. EPC Rating: D
CLAYGATE
CLAYGATE
ESHER
£1,195,000
An excellent and impressive large detached family house
of approximately 2630 sq ft with vast galleried landing
and vaulted ceiling. The property also has the benefit of
a large garden, off-street parking and double detached
garage. EPC Rating: D.
£1,650PCM
An attractive Victorian cottage with three bedrooms , 2
reception rooms and a west facing garden. Set in a highly
convenient position for Claygate’s village centre and
mainline station. Available from the 21st April 2015.
EPC Rating D
£3,000PCM
A picturesque Georgian property set in a beautiful plot
with four bedrooms and a wealth of character features and
wonderful views over the surrounding fields and paddock.
Available immediately. EPC Rating: F
15
16 LIVING WITHIN April 2015
Virginia Water
£1,100 pcm
This excellent first floor apartment comes with the benefit of
good decor, new carpets and a delightful aspect onto the mature
communal grounds of Trotsworth Court. The property has been
improved over recent years and the apartment comes with
the benefit of double glazing, gas central heating and re fitted
kitchen and bathroom.
EPC Rating C75.
2
beds
Virginia Water
1
baths
1
1
receptions garage
£3,500 pcm
A popular terrace townhouse with the benefit of strip wood
floors through the hall, living room and study (ie middle floor).
Residents enjoy 24 hour security and amazing facilities including
kids’ play area, indoor pool, whirlpool sauna, gym, sports hall,
as well as an outdoor tennis court.
EPC Rating: D66.
4
2
garage
3
2
beds
baths
receptions
swimming
pool
gym
tennis
court
Virginia Water
£6,250 pcm
A beautifully presented house on this excellent gated
development with 24 hour security and residents’ leisure
facilities. Also located within walking distance to the local
shops, restaurants and mainline railway station.
EPC Rating: D62.
5
beds
swimming
pool
4
baths
gym
4
receptions
tennis
court
2
garage
The Estate Office - Wentworth - Virginia Water - Surrey - GU25 4DL. UK
T: +44(0)1344 843000 - W: bartonwyatt.co.uk
April 2015 LIVING WITHIN
17
CLAYGATE
Old Point is an attractive and substantial
traditional tile hung detached family home
enviably located in the heart of the Ruxley
Heights Estate, providing well balanced
family accommodation. Energy Rating: D.
Master bedroom with dressing room and
en suite, 4 further bedrooms, bathroom, 2
reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room,
2 utility rooms, study, conservatory, garage,
garden.
Freehold Guide Price £1,350,000
CLAYGATE
Situated in a very popular cul-de-sac
location, a wonderful semi detached family
home offering spacious accommodation.
Energy Rating: D.
3 bedrooms, bathroom, reception room,
kitchen/dining room, utility room, garden.
Leasehold £690,000
Doug Parks
Branch Manager
See all our properties on
There is a lack of property available and we have applicants looking across all price ranges. Call us now for a
GSR½HIRXMEPQEVOIXETTVEMWEPXSHMWGYWWXLMWJYVXLIV
ESHER 020 01372 462211 [email protected]
and many more websites.
johndwood.co.uk
18 LIVING WITHIN April 2015
NO STAMP DUTY
Surpassing all expectations.
'LENMEADAND"YWAYSTWOOFTHEMOSTELEGANTGATEDPROPERTIESINTHEAFmUENT
village of Ascot. Substantial in their size, exquisite in their style. This is the ultimate
in sophisticated living.
3IXBEDROOMHOMESs)NTERNALSTUDIOmATs4RIPLEGARAGEs3UBSTANTIALLANDSCAPEDGARDENS
Swift access to the M25 and M4 • Sunningdale and Wentworth Golf courses nearby
FRIARY ROAD | ASCOT | BERKSHIRE | SL5 9HD
Price: £4,250,000
Email: [email protected]
Viewing by Appointment Only
Please contact Edwards & Elliott
Phone: 01344 623411
April 2015 LIVING WITHIN
19
mewes
COLLECTIONS
NOW IN
Sizes Small - 6XL
London Road, Sunningdale, SL5 0ER
Telephone 01344 621333
• TIMBERLAND • LACOSTE
GANT • ETON • BAUMLER •
SPRING
DUCHAMP • LANVIN • POLO • RALPH LAUREN • CHURCH
MENSWEAR
PAUL & SHARK • HILFIGER • PAL ZILERI • BARBOUR
20 LIVING WITHIN April 2015
Seven Michelin stars lined up
for Royal Ascot fine dining
Ascot Racecourse has announced that Fine
Dining at Royal Ascot 2015 will be headlined
by twice Michelin starred chefs, Michael
Caines and Phil Howard who will each host a
restaurant on all five days of the Royal Meeting
this year. Michael and Phil will be joined by
Raymond Blanc, who is designing an exclusive
menu for this year's Private Boxes, and Angela
Hartnett, who is creating an exclusive picnic
for Royal Enclosure guests in the Winning Post
Gardens in partnership with Smart. Between
them, the chefs involved hold seven Michelin
stars and will create an exciting, high quality
Fine Dining experience for racegoers this year.
Michael Caines was mentored by Raymond
Blanc at Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons in
Oxfordshire and is now Executive Chef
at Gidleigh Park. He will be serving his
distinctive modern European cuisine in On5,
the racecoure's multimillion pound restaurant
that opened to excellent reviews at the Royal
Meeting in 2014. Phil Howard, co-owner of
the Square and winner of Great British Menu
in 2012 will bring his love of home grown
ingredients to create a spectacular menu in The
Panoramic Restaurant.
Michael Caines said, "Ascot is renowned
for its excellent Fine Dining and wonderful
service and Royal Ascot as one of Britain's
most prestigious sporting and social occasions.
It's an amazing venue and I am very proud
to be a part of this year's event. I hope my
passion for cooking combined with the unique
surroundings and added flair of the experience
I bring from Gidleigh Park will create an
unforgettable day for my guests."
Phil Howard said: "I came to Royal Ascot
for the first time in 2014, as a guest, and
was bowled over by what a unique and truly
spectacular occasion it is. I'm really looking
forward to being a part of this year's event,
from the kitchen this time, and using my
interest in British ingredients to create a
stunning menu to match the spectacle of a
day at Royal Ascot. We have been growing our
own vegetables within the grounds of Fulham
Palace for a year now and using them at The
Square is something I am very proud of. I am
greatly looking forward to bringing them to the
Royal Meeting this year."
Angela Hartnett, one of Britain's most
successful and best-loved chefs, is creating
exclusive picnics for Royal Enclosure guests in
the Winning Post Gardens.
Excluding On5 and The Panoramic
Restaurant, menus for the most part are
designed by Ascot's Executive Chef, Steve
Golding who was recently a runner-up for the
2014 Catey's Chef of the Year.
April 2015 LIVING WITHIN
Poised as we are on the brink of spring and fresh
green, and finding some broad beans in a local
market (local to South West France at time of
writing - ever so slightly ahead of South East
England, season-wise), and with Moroccan
produce located at a stall not too far down the
line, I was tempted by the idea of sunshine,
lemons, greenery and couscous, and a yearning
for some Moroccan zest and Eastern promise.
‘Broad’, ‘Windsor’ or ‘Horse’; ‘Fèves’, ‘Ful’ or
‘Fava’, these beans have many guises in many
parts of the world, and much history that sits
alongside the names and places. Eaten since
ancient times and imbued with almost equal
parts of myth and wisdom, they are a staple in
Middle-Eastern and North-African dishes, often
in their matured, dried and dull-coloured form.
But at this time of year when they start to appear
at their youngest and brightest, it might be that
they cook and taste best, having not yet developed
either too much starch or too many additional
complications.
The couscous-based broad bean salad featured
here can be as complicated or as simple as you
choose to make it; you can spend time aerating the
couscous and steaming it subtly, or you can pour
over boiling water and follow simple instructions
on a packet; likewise you can peel the beans or
leave them with soft leather wrinkled jackets, but
whatever time you save on these potentially timeconsuming aspects, you will need to pod these
most indulged beans, and pop them out of their
padded velvety cases as a necessary first step.
Buy more than you think that you need and allow
more time than you think it will take to shell them
- co-opt family or friends wherever possible or put
on the radio and settle down to enjoy the task.
Once you have a pile of podded beans, put them
in a shallow saucepan (big enough that they are
not too crammed together) with two or three
unpeeled garlic cloves (new season will give the
best flavour), some grated spring onion (or other
gentle onion), a generous splash of olive oil,
salt, a pinch of paprika, a few saffron strands,
and a scant quarter of a pint of cold water (5 fl
oz/150ml approx.) - bring up to a lively simmer,
and then allow to cook gently for between about
5-10 minutes (until the largest of the beans is
tender). Stir in a small handful of finely chopped
fresh coriander leaves and some ground black
pepper, take off the heat, and leave for a few
minutes until the contents are cool enough to
handle. Take out the garlic cloves and remove
the skin and put to one side. If, like me, you have
perfectionist tendencies, pop the bright green
inner beans out of the slightly grey and wrinkled
jackets (and throw the jackets away) - or just
leave them be if you don’t mind eating all. Finely
chop the poached inners of the garlic cloves, add
them back to the beans in their liquid and, finally,
add a generous squeeze of lemon juice and allow
all to “steep” while you prepare the couscous.
If you are Moroccan (or a perfectionist), you will
probably “mind” about how well your couscous
is aerated and steamed and seasoned, and it will
take you (at least!) the best part of an hour to
wash and dry and manually manipulate, and leave
to absorb residual moisture, and finally to steam
in a “couscoussier”, or in a sieve suspended over
a pan of infused and aromatic boiling water; and
if we are honest, as with all things, it will make
a difference to the end result if you take this
extra time and trouble. But it will be perfectly
acceptable to buy couscous in a box that is easy,
and designed to be cooked almost instantly, and
to follow the instructions on the packet, if you
would prefer not to make too big a deal of the
process. Whichever way you choose, once your
couscous is cooked, sprinkle it with a little olive
oil, check it for seasoning (and adjust if it is too
bland), put it in a serving dish, move it around
with a couple of forks to distribute the oil and the
seasoning and to remove any lumps, and then add
in your broad beans and their liquor (check this
for seasoning too, just before you do), and mix
all together gently. Leave for a few minutes for
the two parts to get to know each other, and then
serve as a salad.
Erica x
www.acookinthekitchen.co.uk
www.acooksblog.com
“Shwiya b shwiya, l’jamal
imshi f’sooksoo”~ Moroccan
proverb, rough translation:
“little by little, the camel goes
into the couscous”!
21
Classic Hungarian Goulash Soup
2 medium size tins of chopped tomatoes
500ml good beef stock
1 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp caraway seed
Extra Virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper
I have only ever had the soup version of
the classic Hungarian Goulash once, in
Switzerland many years ago.
Cut the steak into very small pieces and seasoned
with flour black pepper and paprika. Fry the red
onion, garlic and the seasoned steak in the heated
olive oil for about 5 minutes, until meat browned and
onions softened. Then stir a tablespoon of flour and a
teaspoon of smoked paprika into the pot. Add the two
tins of chopped tomatoes, the sundried tomato, the
sugar, caraway seed and finally the stock.
I usually make soups in my Le Creuset pot, so
something similar would be ideal.
Allow the soup to simmer for about 45 minutes,
adding salt and pepper to taste.
YOU WILL NEED
500g chuck steak / braising beef steak
Black pepper
Smoked paprika
2 red onions finely diced
3 cloves garlic finely chopped
1 small jar of sundried tomatoes chopped
Sour cream and caraway bread are perfect with
this soup.
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
When she’s not writing, Elizabeth runs her own
catering business. She has also set up an initiative
with volunteers who help feed patients at Kingston
Hospital at meal times.
22 LIVING WITHIN April 2015
Money Matters
with Peter Sharratt
Lump Sum Pension Investment
Q. I am a shareholding director in my own business
and I draw a low salary with the bulk of my income
coming from dividends. I want to make a lump sum
investment in to my pension but I am unclear as to
how much I can actually put in. I have read in some
literature included in my recent pension statement
that I can contribute up to £40,000 but elsewhere
it mentioned that I cannot put in more than my
salary. What are the limits?
A. The maximum you can personally invest in
to a pension is 100% of your salary subject to a
maximum annual allowance which is currently
£40,000. Please note dividends are not classed as
salary. If as an example you have a salary of £8,000
and dividends of £45,000 the maximum you can
personally invest is £8,000.
However, contributions that are made by your
company in to a pension for you are NOT
restricted by your salary; your company can invest
the full annual allowance maximum of £40,000
and potentially more than this using carry forward
(more on this later). Please note you will need to
satisfy what is called the ‘wholly & exclusively’
requirement but as a shareholding director this
should not be a problem.
From a tax perspective personal contributions
in to a pension (ignoring the contribution limits)
would be made by you from ‘after tax’ income.
The contribution would then qualify for basic
rate tax relief at source and higher rate tax relief,
if applicable, could be claimed via your selfassessment tax return. The deadline for a personal
investment tax wise is the end of the tax year.
Company contributions in to a pension investment
will be a deductible business expense and so reduce
the amount of Corporation Tax your company
pays. Any contribution is also NOT subject to
National Insurance. The deadline for a company
investment tax wise is your company’s year-end
which is likely to be different to the tax year.
As mentioned earlier your company can possibly
invest more than £40,000 as you can carry forward
any unused annual allowances from the 3 previous
tax years. To be eligible for carry forward you must
have been a member of a pension scheme during the
carry forward years although you do not actually
need to have been making contributions. By using
carry forward it is possible to actually invest up to
£180,000 because the annual allowance in two of
the three previous tax years was £50,000.
Before making any investment I would suggest
that you get specific advice.
Send your queries to Peter Sharratt, Kirk Rice LLP, The
Courtyard, High Street, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 7HP
Email [email protected]
Please note: answers are given for general
guidance only and specific advice should be taken
before acting on any of the suggestions made.
Sunninghill Carpets & Flooring Ltd
I create, I express, I define
I AMTICO
Suppliers & Installers:
Amtico
Carpets
Glade House
High Street,
SUNNINGHILL
Ascot
SL5 9NP
Solid & Engineered
Wood Flooring
Leather Tiles
Vinyl Floorcovering
25 years of reliable quality service
www.sunninghillcarpets.com
01344 622022
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April 2015 LIVING WITHIN
23
Jenny Marks’ Mad Month
We supply and fit both commercial &
domestic: vertical • roller • pleated •
wooden venetian aluminium venetian
• Roman blinds • shutters curtains •
fabric tub chairs
All our blinds are custom made
• • • Free measuring service • • •
191 High Street, Egham, Surrey TW20 9ED
01784 471122
www.bellevueblinds.co.uk
Boy Wonder (youngest), was most upset because the
packaging on my present was apparently damaged
and he needed Sellotape to patch it up. Later, when
“
he handed me my favourite box of chocolates with its
‘damaged’ packaging, he ‘fessed’ up that the damage
was actually caused by him opening them to eat a
couple! Crickey he’s soooo like me I had to laugh.
Yipeee! Yes that’s me being over excited because
Spring is so definitely here – Is this because the sun
is shining? – err no, Is this because the clocks have
sprung forward? – err still no. It’s because MyShell,
our gorgeous tortoise is out of hybo! A very positive
sign that Summer is on its way!
I’ve had a very social month with amongst other
things, another wonderful girlie weekend by the
sea. Lots of giggles and fizz, with lovely chums,
whilst relaxing in a hot tub on the roof overlooking
the sea at 1am. Complete Bliss really!
Also had a ‘shopping’ day in Knightsbridge. You
know when you just think ‘why not?’.
I do love Harvey Nics and my girlfriend was on
a mission to visit every make up counter possible.
Unfortunately the ‘Cover FX’ woman was so
fascinated with my ‘redness’ she immediately
plonked me in her make up chair. After over an
hour of the lovely ‘Anna’ giggling in between sharp
intakes of breath, and applying gosh knows what to
my eyes, neck, cheeks and anywhere else visible, I
was declared ‘finished’. By this point there was a
crowd of people surrounding us, all pointing and
peering at me. I’m sure you girls have experienced
this, but it’s so weird when you’re presented with
a mirror and a total stranger looks back at you! So
impressed with the ‘new’ me, I managed to part
with hundreds of pounds for make up that I don’t
even know how to apply!
Naturally I was so exhausted by all this pampering
that my girlfriend Marisa and I had to stagger up to
the champagne bar. Could sit there for hours (with
a glass or two) and people watch. You can always
tell when someone ‘well known’ is in there, because
suddenly 4 or 5 waiters emerge from nowhere and
almost fight to get to the guests. Funnily enough we
didn’t seem to get that treatment – just a smile and
a bowl of nuts!
Mothers Day – what a hoot and so much better
than last year, when I was clearly not in favour. The
Queen (middle child), presented me with a bouquet
of roses and a box of yummy Lindt chocs. Boy
Wonder (youngest), was most upset because the
packaging on my present was apparently damaged
and he needed Sellotape to patch it up. Later, when
he handed me my favourite box of chocolates with
its ‘damaged’ packaging, he ‘fessed’ up that the
damage was actually caused by him opening them
to eat a couple! Crickey he’s soooo like me I had to
laugh.
The Angel (oldest) gave me a bottle of champagne
and took me out to lunch at Henrys in Hampton
Court. Absolutely lovely nosh and atmosphere.
However, after spending hours in there and
consuming two bottles of champagne, we had
clearly outstayed our welcome. The restaurant was
empty, chairs stacked and the poor staff, having
swept the floor around us many times, had that
‘please leave, we have a life!’ , look on their faces.
Work has been busy with a number of mad 18th
Birthdays and a ‘Hello, Goodbye’ party.
I do enjoy working the 18ths and boys are loving
these new ice sculptures where one can pour soft
drinks down them, rather than vodka. However,
some guests think its a giggle being covered in
water etc.
Top tip though if you’re doing this... Please make
sure its outside and check out the colourings in any
juices. Also, the boys love getting saturated and
taking their tops off!
Not good for the younger waitresses!
The Hello Goodbye party was for a family who
had just purchased a gorgeous house in Richmond.
Within a couple of weeks of moving in, my client
was promoted and she had to take the family over to
the US within three weeks! When I asked what she
did job-wise, she mentioned she was an Economist.
Well it was one of those ‘silent’ moments, when
I just looked at her blankly and said ‘How nice’.
Luckily she had a great sense of humour!
It was such a fun party and everyone was rather
‘ jolly’. One of the guests had the idea to help
the family re-pack the removal boxes. Hilarious!
Everyone thought it was great fun
staggering around, chucking whatever they could
find into the boxes and taping them up!
Rather difficult trying to manage over 130 merry
guests ‘packing’ for their friends.
However, the next day, when I returned to help
tidy, my lovely client gave me a couple of bottles of
Veuve as a thank you for trying to hide the antiques!
- Jenny
COMPLETE
BLISS NET
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24 LIVING WITHIN April 2015
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