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Issue 9 The best thing to come out of Surbiton since the A3 February 2013 Wrap up warm, and head to market This month’s farmers’ market is on has its own website – www. I’ve no doubt it will be the first port of The Inuit of Surbiton Saturday February 16 from 9am, surbitonfarmersmarket.co.uk call for anyone visiting the market,” Resourceful Surbiton scouts created an igloo in the Victoria with 26 laden stalls… and the hope – designed by Nathalie Jamois’ said web editor David Jacobson, recreation ground during January’s snowfall. of another award to add to the Surbiton-based design studio effusively. Building blocks were made by packing snow into a kitchen waste collection. Abricot. The first January market in the recycling container, before turning out the ‘bricks’. Organisers were traipsing up to As well as market dates, stall three-year history of the Maple Road It survived for four days, and was sturdy enough to hold half a Harrogate with fingers crossed as the information and colourful pictures, event coincided with the start of the dozen youngsters. Good Life went to press after being the website features recipes from snow, reducing stall numbers to 16 as named as finalists in the farmers’ market regulars, news of the charities some far-flung regulars were unable market of the year awards for a second that benefit and details of how to to reach Surbiton. But hardy shoppers year by Farma, the National Farmers’ volunteer, on simple-to-navigate still flocked, with the Giggly Pig hot Retail & Markets Association. pages. sausage samples being devoured by Meanwhile, the market now “It’s a hugely useful resource and the handful. Fountain of ‘yoof’ The elegant polished granite drinking fountain in the a gift to the people of Surbiton from the Metropolitan Victoria rec has been demolished by vandals trying to Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough Association, a steal the old lead pipes. philanthropic body set up by MP Sam Gurney to provide The grey fountain, which has stood on the recreation free drinking water to all, including animals. ground’s perimeter path for 120 years, was targeted the One of the nicest features of Surbiton’s stylish fountain, night before New Year’s Eve. which has been placed back in position by workmen, It is believed the thugs broke apart the fountain’s and re-cemented, is the ground-level drinking trough sections and tried to wrench up the pipes under the main for dogs. granite section. Twisted metal was left protruding from In bygone years, the fountain was valued by the base, and the main drinking bowl has been badly goalkeepers, minding the nearby football nets, who Mo’s cute cafe chipped. would sneak out of the goalmouth for a drink during A tiny slice of Lebanon Recreation ground regulars now hope good can come lulls in play. is enriching Surbiton’s from bad, if the council decides to restore the historic The fountain ties in neatly with nearby Seething dining scene… for those fountain to working order. Wells’ important role in providing clean drinking who value personal Not a drip has emerged from the drinking fountain’s water to London, so helping to banish cholera from service. nozzle for years, ironically because of fears for public the capital. What was once K’s Bites safety from the old lead pipes. The eight acres of the Victoria rec were opened in 1891 in Victoria Road (opposite A Kingston Council spokesman told The Good Life by the Duchess of Albany. Originally named Surbiton the YMCA) is now the that he couldn’t confirm if there were plans to restore Recreation Ground, it cost £800 to create, and was Lebanese DeliCafe, a the fountain to working order… but did say that officers built on part of the site of the town’s old penny farthing miniature restaurant and were aware of the issue. racetrack. The pavilion was added two years later, on the takeaway run by Mohiden The drinking fountain was built in September 1893, precise central point of the ground. Dardouk. Mohiden, 58, who is from Sidon, an ancient southern Lebanese walled city, came to the UK 32 years ago as an IT student. He missed his mother’s cooking, so began creating traditional dishes including falafel (spiced chickpea rissoles), hummus, hallomi toasties and flatbreads. Urged on by his friends, he opened a restaurant in Scarborough in 1994, before moving down to London. Of his cute six-seater restaurant, Mohiden says: “It’s a lovely little place, and I decided to do something different. It’s all healthy food, and everything is cooked and prepared on the premises.” Most of the trade is breakfast and lunch, but you can book a personally cooked and served Lebanese dinner for four at £12.50 a head. Mohiden’s beliefs mean there is no alcohol, but you can choose vegetarian, vegan or meat-based meals. It is, says the restaurateur, the perfect way to get your five-a-day. Try a Lebanese breakfast, with cheese and eggs, and cardamom coffee, for £4.50. There are also fresh juices and traditional home-made sweets. Aftermath: the granite fountain “I don’t get anything from tins,” said Mohiden, who lives in Ditton Road once the vandals had finished and has six children (three grown up, three at local schools). Book a select personal meal for four on 020 8399 3015. Shopping & Changing The tough trading climate is taking its toll on Surbiton’s shopping scene, with January’s snowy snap adding to retail misery. Blockbuster in Brighton Road is closing, as is the DVD rental shop’s huge store in Tolworth Broadway. ExCellar – the deli and off licence opposite KFC – has gone into administration. Meanwhile, Woodhouse is moving its furniture and art framing business into what used to be the Foodie coffee shop, and Focus menswear is calling it a day after a quarter of a century. But Jennings the butcher’s, an institution in Ewell Road, has just celebrated its 50th anniversary. Full stories on pages 3, 4 and 5. news It’s a Total change Good Life Pumpwatch Surbiton’s petrol prices on January 30. Unleaded (green) and diesel (red) with comparative prices from Dec 28 2012. Esso, 90 Brighton Road Esso, 135.9 143.9 Jan 30 Tolworth Broadway 133.9 140.9 Dec 28 133.9 141.9 Jan 30 133.9 140.9 Dec 28 Shell, Ace of Spades 133.9 140.9 Jan 30 Jet, 248 Hook Road 132.9 139.9 Dec 28 133.9 140.9 Jan 30 132.9 139.9 Dec 28 Pace, 65 The Avenue 136.9 142.9 Jan 30 Shell, 133.9 142.9 Dec 28 122 Portsmouth Road 133.9 141.9 Jan 30 Surbiton’s two Total petrol Nearly 500 filling stations are portfolio, making it the largest Shell, Manor Rd Sth, 133.9 141.9 Dec 28 stations have been snapped up being rebranded after a 50-year fuel seller in Surbiton. Hinchley Wood by Esso and Shell, giving both oil Gallic love affair with British The Brighton Road and 133.9 140.9 Jan 30 giants an even bigger local market motorists. Portsmouth Road forecourts 133.9 140.9 Dec 28 share. It means smaller petrol retailers generate around £100,000 in Garages at Brighton Road are finding it harder to get a look- earnings each year – a figure (above, opposite the Lamb) in. Two years ago Murco sold bolstered by selling air (50p a and Portsmouth Road (below, its 475-strong petrol station puff), drooping flowers, Mars bars opposite Winters Road) have been network. and kindling, but reduced by the sold by the French petroleum firm Esso has bought the Brighton growth in electric cars, and the as part of a long-term strategy to Road forecourt, while Shell has rise of supermarket stations such Premature sale target abandon the UK pump market. added Portsmouth Road to its as Tesco, Shannon Corner. A nearly-new sale at Surbiton YMCA but he grew big and strong and finally will raise money for Born Too came home after three months.” Soon, the charity set up at Kingston Clare’s aim is to give something Hospital in 1985 to support parents of back by passing on the profits from premature babies. the nearly-new sale on Saturday The sale is being organised by Clare February 16, from 2.30-4.30pm, at the Shelley, whose son Jack was cared for YMCA at 49 Victoria Road. at Kingston’s neonatal unit after he The sale is of items for mums-to-be, arrived 15 weeks early, weighing just babies and children, and people can 1lb 10oz. take a table to sell their own nearly “All the staff throughout Jack’s stay new items for £20. Alternatively you at Kingston neonatal unit and Born can donate nearly-new items. Entry to Too Soon were just fantastic,” she said. the sale is £2. “They are all so friendly and easy to The neonatal unit at Kingston talk to, as well as being professional. Hospital cares for around 500 babies “They do an amazing job helping a year. Born Too Soon provides so many babies grow bigger, stronger information and support to parents and get well so they can go home, and raises funds to buy specialist while creating an atmosphere on the equipment. unit, which is warm, friendly and If you can help with the sale, email homely. Clare at clare.shelley@blueyonder. “Jack’s journey had its challenges, co.uk Gardening tips by Janice Cripps Armchair gardening Looking out at the recent snow, you might think there and inhibit plant growth, while pathogens in manure is little the gardener can do.

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