Issue 19 The best thing to come out of since the A3 October 2014 Our monthly market pips Kingston’s Surbiton Farmers’ Market has been of best farmers’ market. “We’re all named south-west ’s best chuffed to bits,” said David. food retailer, beating Kingston “Beating one of the country’s Market and Surbiton Waitrose finest grocers and a market that’s in the process. The award was been established 800 years is quite collected by market leading lights an achievement, and a massive (from left) David Jacobson, Alison testament to our wonderful team of Ewbank and Julian Meers. loyal volunteers who work tirelessly Last year the monthly event in every month to produce a market Maple Road won the national title Surbiton can be proud of.”

Surbiton’s uniformed youth organisations joined the parade, as 19,000 people poured into town Festival fun in late summer sun The sun smiled on this year’s Surbiton as everyone made the most of the late festival, with an estimated 19,000 people September warmth. descending on the town centre to enjoy Other events through the festival week craft and food stalls, bouncy castles, street included free open-air drama, concerts, performers, games, music and ballyhoo. art shows, business networking and book Victoria Road was pedestrianised on events attended by local authors. Having twice the fun of anyone, twins Max and Harry Gallucci, aged two, of Glenbuck Road the parade day, with buses diverted, l More images from the festival p4 & p5 We’re now the UK’s ‘fashion hotbed’ hen you next the No1 choice for internet University of Westminster catch a train, trawlers waiting for trains to lecturer. check out your Waterloo. “I certainly think it’s a Wfellow passengers. Posterscope, which very ‘fashionable’ place Platform 1 at Surbiton manages 30 per cent of out- to live, or I wouldn’t have boasts some of the most and-about ads on shopping moved here,” she trilled. fashion-conscious people trolleys, petrol pumps and “Kingston has a great in the UK, according to a bus stops, researches ways shopping centre, which major advertising strategist. to reach customers. attracts fashion-seekers James Davies of “Traditionally it has and there are many media, Posterscope, which controls been done using industry fashion and PR types, and a third of the country’s data about poster sites, but celebrities, in Surbiton. advertising sites, was now mobile data is being “I have noticed Prada, investigating target markets used, courtesy of phone DKNY and Louis Vuitton for a recent campaign companies,” he said in a bags at the station, not to when he made a startling Daily Telegraph interview, mention amazing pieces discovery. adding that weekday from the high street and “We were looking at commuters on Platform 1 vintage stores mixed places for a fashion client seemed glued to clothing together in a clever way.” to advertise, and discovered websites. However, she sounded a that Surbiton station is a It comes as no surprise note of caution. “They may massive fashion hotbed,” to Surbiton fashion guru be trawling, but are they he said, revealing that high- Virginia Grose, 43, a necessarily buying?” end designer websites were published author and Tim Harrison Fashion-conscious commuters trawl websites while awaiting their Waterloo train Activity with bells on If a world of bells, jigs, hankies, straw hats and sticks intrigues you, here’s a chance to learn more. Surbiton Morris man Ben Izard (below, right, with fellow dancers) is helping organise free try-out sessions. “You can get fit and make friends,” he promises. Members of Kingston Morris performed at Surbiton’s festival, promoting a lively activity with ancient roots. The first recorded Morris dancing in the borough was in Kingston in 1507. Men and women are equally welcome at St John’s church, Grove Lane, on the Kingston/Surbiton boundary at 8pm on Mondays to learn the ropes. More at kingstonmorris.org news

Five keen customers at Maple Road’s Shoes at Surbiton’s answer to the Hanging Gardens of Last modelled new autumn and winter fashions Babylon – the dramatic annual dahlia display while local paparazzo David Jacobson snapped where St Philip’s Road meets St James’ Road – away. The shop is now open seven days a week. didn’t disappoint, with its sunflower backdrop. Planting up the pavements iona Quinn aims to transform then free to pick. There’s a real garden in Balaclava Road. the town by using spare areas enthusiasm for it in Surbiton.” Planters, built from old pallets of space to grow herbs. Kingston Council has given her by Ann Bedford of Main Kitchen FA trained aromatherapist, Fiona, Supplies, proliferate in Brighton a grant to fund a polytunnel, and 27, studied property planning and last year she teamed up with the Road (left), with sage, basil and sustainability at Kingston Uni. YMCA to plant veg in an unused other herbs brightening the street But it is guerrilla scene. She has also been planting planting in Surbiton spare space around trees. that has raised her Roadside herbs encourage profile; growing herbs insects, especially bees, boosts a and vegetables in public sense of well-being, and improve places, and educating drainage in our increasingly people about their use. concreted world. “I’ve always had an One inspiration is Todmorden interest in living ethically, on the Yorks/Lancs boundary, and taking account of the where 40 public spaces have been environment,” she said. planted up, and locals simply help “The idea is to plant themselves. out herbs which are l www.urbanfarmacy.org A chain reaction He’s a familiar sight on his tandem; wife Carina on the back. Now Andrew Manning has turned his back on 30 years in the city and is servicing Surbiton’s bicycles. Cyclelink collects and drops off bikes within five miles. “I turned 50 last summer, and decided I’d had a really good career, so last October I got out of insurance,” said the Ellerton Road resident. Initially he volunteered at a foodbank (“an eye- opener”), then did bike exams to level 3, equipping him to rebuild shocks and forks for even high-end road bikes; the UK’s top bike qualification. He wants to encourage more people to ride, even if the bicycle gathering dust in the garage needs tlc. Twenty years ago, he settled in Surbiton. “It’s “Living with three women, cycling is a great way the perfect commute, there are good schools and of getting out,” he added with a grin. “Bikes always we found a house we wanted. I love the Ellerton come with us on holiday.” community.” He set up Cyclelink in his back garden, and aims The couple have two daughters in their late teens. to eventually run basic bike maintenance courses. “When I’m at home I’m on a bike as often as I “I won’t turn anything away, from punctures to can. I’ve been out a few times with the Berrylands complete rebuilds,” he said. A service is £35, an Cycling Club [enthusiasts at all levels meet in advanced service is £50, but a simple puncture Hollyfield Road for regular jaunts], and I’ve done a repair is a fiver. few charity rides. Freewheel to www.cyclelink.bike for more.

Gardening tips by Janice Cripps Making a playful garden hen designing your that) but it can cater for other types house a climbing wall up its side or garden a three-metre of play. a playhouse or sandpit underneath. wide trampoline or red Here are some suggestions. l Sink the trampoline. It Wplastic slide is probably not top of l Garden features can double as involves a massive hole, but it your wish list. But gardens have props for play – stepping stones for means children have less far to fall. to be practical, multifunctional hopscotch, tree stumps for sitting l Create a den. Children love spaces and this often involves an or climbing, a sturdy archway or to hide, so make a runner bean area for children to play. mature tree as a frame for a swing. wigwam with 6-10 bamboo poles The problem is combining it l A raised deck or gable wall can and string. The scarlet flowers look with an attractive space for grown fabulous and the structure can be ups to relax and enjoy. an eye-catching focal point in the A hundred years ago when I garden. For an even more vibrant was a child, I spent many hours display, interplant the beans with in the garden making mud pies, nasturtiums. creating dens and fashioning l Involve the children in necklaces from daisy chains. I planting. Satisfies both adult and didn’t have any props or special child in that it is educational, equipment but I had a lot of fun. mucky and very rewarding to see Lots of equipment isn’t that tiny seed or plant grow into a necessary to fire the imagination, beautiful flower. but if you have a large garden it Play equipment doesn’t have to isn’t so much of an issue. destroy the garden aesthetic if you Anything ugly, plastic or go for natural materials rather than brightly coloured can be banished manmade plastics. to a dedicated play area. It is Nothing sits more comfortably difficult to supervise children if in the garden than wood, and there that area is completely hidden, so is a lot on the market to choose I’d suggest a partial screen using from. I particularly like Judith trellis work or soft planting such Needham’s designs for playhouses as molinia; a tall semi-transparent in crafted willow – just beautiful, ornamental grass. and designed to be seen. Children’s play takes many forms: doing nothing in Janice Cripps is a professional particular, exploring, being garden designer based in adventurous, boisterous, social, Surbiton. For advice, planting reflective and quiet. Most gardens plans, or taking projects from cannot really cater for the child Cowboys and indians might also concept to completion, visit who needs to let off steam (a trip enjoy a natural wigwam made www.janicecripps.co.uk to the park is probably best for from runner beans 2 news Pumps run dry The Esso petrol station in Brighton Road, pictured, has closed after its Jersey-based owner, Rontec Watford Your feet’s too big... Ltd, sold it to ‘an independent f anyone knows about the health of percentage of elderly people than average, dealer’. There is speculation it may Surbiton’s feet, it’s Mary Rigal. A couple there was a greater need for chiropody – or be developed for housing, although of years after qualifying in 1988 she set up podiatry, as the NHS calls it these days. Kingston Council has yet to receive Iher business in Tolworth Broadway... and it’s Footwear trends change, but the other a planning application. Rontec still going strong a quarter of a century later. thing that’s altered is daytime TV, she said. bought the site in January 2013 after “There was a recession at the time; my I looked blankly. “There are a lot of daytime the French oil giant Total sold off husband thought I was mad,” she said. TV adverts for nails and fungal conditions; 500 filling stations. Rontec told the Mary, pictured, treats everything foot- there’s a tremendous mark-up in the cost Good Life: “I have been instructed by related. “You never know what’s about to of products,” she explained. “There is more our in-house lawyer that we cannot walk through the door,” she said. “We treat awareness of foot health. People look after comment further on the details.” lots of ingrowing toenails; I always like themselves better than they used to.” doing them. They’re fun, and it’s nice to cure She feels it’s an advantage working from something and make people better.” a shop, rather than from home. “People, Over 25 years she’s seen many of Surbiton’s especially women, feel more secure at a ‘plates’. “On the whole they’re pretty good,” shop,” she said. “I like Surbiton; I know all she said. “But because the NHS doesn’t the local GPs, and some patients have been do free treatment any more, I see more coming to me since I started here. I even neglected feet... and more verrucas. People see the children and grandchildren of my go to the gym more, and GPs don’t treat earliest patients. There are often similarities them. I think it’s to do with budgets.” in their feet, and their gait. It’s to do with the Shop hangs up Every December Mary, who lives in way your bones are set!” The Surbiton branch of Phones4U Epsom, joins the volunteer team at London’s Sound basic advice is to change socks and was a casualty of the company’s Crisis centres, treating the feet of homeless footwear regularly, wash your feet and rub collapse in mid-September. The people. She also goes round nursing homes in cream, though never between your toes. Victoria Road shop was one of 720 and makes home visits to people who can’t Best time is after a bath or shower, ideally “I wanted to become a chiropodist from the age which shut. Seven jobs were lost. get out. “It’s very much part of the work,” she just before bed. of 12,” she admitted. “I went to one, and I thought Four doors down are branches of EE said. “You get very fond of patients.” And never use corn plasters. “It’s such it would be a nice job. The only other option... and Carphone Warehouse. Mary, who also has a practice in West a strong acid, and it doesn’t discriminate well, I did once think about studying theology at Ewell, said that as Surbiton had a higher between good and bad skin.” Cambridge!” Tim Harrison Sound advice Good Life original , the pro-chancellor at Uni, Surplus food helps charity gave drama students their degrees Gardeners brought spare produce to September’s last week... and some career advice. farmers’ market in Maple Road to help the homeless. “Listen, question and enjoy,” Margo Market goers responded to an appeal on behalf of the told the graduates. “Listen to Joel Community Trust, and made generous fruit and veg everyone, and don’t ever be afraid donations from their plots and allotments. to admit you don’t know something. Carol Holmes, Dan Wheeler and Becky Mills, pictured, Clever people ask questions.” collected produce for meals for homeless people in the night shelter alongside St Peter’s church, Norbiton. The trust, set up in 2010, houses 100 people a year, Antelope leaps and offers training, activities and help to many others. It wasn’t just the farmers’ market that did well in south west London’s food and drink awards. Overheard in the Prince of Wales The Antelope won best newcomer Supping Surbiton’s new ales (although the pub’s been there since The first beers commercially aroma. First batches of the pale Uniformed officers arrested a man at the Surbiton festival for selling the 1860s!), while commendations produced in Surbiton have been ale didn’t cut the mustard for tablets he claimed gave eternal youth. When checking the police went to the French Tarte and going down well with real ale lovers. the brewers, so the recipe was national computer they discovered it was the fifth time he had been Table, Duke of York, Bosco, Lamb, Created in the Big Smoke altered, the yeast was changed done for fraud. He had previously been stopped in 1794, 1856, 1928 Laithwaites and From the Ground microbrewery behind The Antelope and it was rebrewed. and 1983. Up, the organic veg service which in Maple Road, they were produced The porter (£1.95 a half) operates fortnightly at the YMCA. by aptly named landlord Pete Brew impresses. Fuggles hops are and assistant Nick Blake. used, as well as a mix of black, chocolate and Munich malts. First out was a 4.8% pale ale, tel BOsCO Mike takes title described by licensee Rich Craig The result is sweet, liquoricey, AT HO Surbiton racing driver Mike CHrIstMas as “easy-drinking, medium to low with a hint of burnt almond. Robinson won the Michelin Clio bodied”, with a citrusy aroma. Cup after his eighth win of the GOlD The only disappointment is that AND SET MENU season at the Croft circuit, north party the beers have yet to gain Surbiton PARTY PLATTERS Yorks. The Ewell Road speedster platter names. Drinkers have to ask for finished on 282pts, ahead of David 12 items ‘trial pale ale’, rather than, say, half a Dickenson (230) and Luke Herbert. £17.95 Maple or a pint of KT6X. American hops have been chosen party platters Ski on a Sunday for the pale, which sells at £3.50 sIlVer Please select from the list below (6, 9 or 12 items)* a pint. The other new beers are a party Turkey, cranberry, chestnut & pork pastry bake Glide down St Mark’s Hill on blocks platter Smoked salmon quiche of ice. Ski Sunday is on October 19, porter – an old-style dark, hoppy ale 9 items Farmhouse pate on toast with mulled wine & onion chutney from 11am-1pm, raising money for – and an amber beer with a bit more £14.95 Fish goujons with a tartar dip body, sweeter flavour and punchier Roast baby potatoes the Shooting Star children’s hospice. Prawn caesar salad served in a baby gem leaf It is followed by hot soup, served in BrONZe Mini Yorkshire puddings with beef & horseradish Claremont Gardens, with live music. party Pigs in blankets platter Teriyaki chicken brochettes with tomato and coriander salsa Cups and cuppas 6 items Crab cakes with chestnut & chilli salsa £10.95 Jammed in pub Chocolate cake, lemon, coffee and Feta cheese and spinach goujons banana, AND cup cakes. The table Butterfly king prawns with a sweet chilli dip Head for the Black Lion at the Maple Potato skins with cheddar cheese and sour cream dip Road/Brighton Road lights to mark at the cornerHOUSE arts centre in CHrIstMas Skinny fries set MeNU Halloween. A party is being staged Douglas Road was groaning for the Selection of seasonal pickles with root vegetable crisps World’s Biggest Coffee Morning. 3 courses - on Saturday November 1, with £25 pp tribute band The Jammed playing People sipped cuppas and enjoyed Desserts Please get in Chocolate brownie 9-11pm, and fancy dress prizes. home-baked treats to raise funds for touch to find out more Christmas puddings with brandy butter Macmillan Cancer Support. Mini mince pies “I was really pleased with the *all guests must choose the same items Mums’ sale date way it went,” said organiser Becky The next sale of nearly-new goods Fowler, left. “We made over £200.” for babies and children organised She hopes to do a re-run next year. reserVe ONlINe www.HOtelBOsCO.CO.Uk | 020 8339 5720 by Surbiton entrepreneur Janine Turland takes place at St Mark’s church hall, St Mark’s Hill, on Saturday October 18, from 3-5pm. Up to 200 buyers attend. Discounted entry vouchers and stall details at www.mum2mummarket.co.uk No more heroes Heroes and Legends, the hobby store in Ewell Road, has closed, blaming the tough financial climate. Business partner Jon Corps said “with a heavy heart” that it had become impossible to run two branches, but that the shop’s Croydon outlet would remain open. Heroes specialised in roleplay games and miniature wargaming. Cowboy victims Surbiton residents who have been the victim of cowboy builders are being sought by a TV production company for a new BBC1 show. Email kathrinbenoehr@ brownbobproductions.com with details of your experiences. Please support our advertisers and tell them you saw their ad in the Good Life 3 news/letters Fun in the sun: 2014’s festival n estimated 19,000 people filled Surbiton town centre on the last Aday of the week-long festival, one of the best crowds in the event’s 22- year history. A parade marched up St Andrew’s Road and Victoria Road to Claremont Road, while games, activities and food stalls filled Claremont Gardens and St Andrew’s Square. The pedestrianised town centre was filled with music, craft stalls and street entertainers, all enjoying the sun. You could try an aloe vera drink, buy an I Love Ponies sign, design your own bib, meet a chiropractor and even become a freemason. Clockwise from top left: Feline Other high points included open-air facepaint; Tuckers exotic burgers include some unlikely fillings; theatre at The Grove, a photo show at entering an enormous bouncy castle; St Mark’s church, Montmartre-style Benchmark Theatre players at the art displays in Maple Road, a giant YMCA; enjoying the 1st Hook scout Scalextric track and book readings. band play; Superman and Batman Not everyone warmed to the abandon crimefighting to watch Punch festival’s name change to ‘Surbo’. “It’s & Judy; and two thrill-seekers whirl on not very Surbiton,” said one regular. “I the waltzer at Claremont Gardens just think of Serbo-Croat.” But everyone agreed it had been well organised, well marshalled and full of new ideas, with credit going to co-ordinator Bob Noble. “I am absolutely delighted with the way this year’s Surbo went,” he said. “After 11 big events during the week, the main Surbofest couldn’t have seen more smiling Surbiton faces across the town. The sun shone on everything that is great about living in Surbiton.” Plans are already under way for next year’s festival week, culminating in a parade on September 26. Women’s golf ‘needs support of the stars’ Golf pro Mel Reid was in Surbiton to promote the women’s game with There haven’t been accidents, He wanted to copy the idea. other pros at the Golf Studios in the Nuffield centre in Simpson Way. Telegram name shoppers and motorists co-exist The equipment was duly bought, Mel, 26, pictured, a four-time winner on the European circuit well and traffic is no worse than funds having been raised, and and member of the successful 2011 Solheim Cup team – the ladies’ Re your article about Surbiton’s before. I really can’t get the the venture took hold. equivalent of the Ryder Cup, so satisfyingly staged at Gleneagles last house names in the June issue, negativity. It used to have the For the first years it was all week, told the Good Life that the women’s game needed the boost that The Jalans was born soon ambience of Colditz, now at done at our home in Raeburn men’s golf gets from celebrity endorsement. after we married in the days of least you can go from one side Avenue, Berrylands. “We need more influential women playing golf,” she said, citing telegrams which charged by the of the road to the other, and The Kingston Borough News the fact that many footballers and rock stars spend their spare time word. pedestrians feel welcome. came out on Friday and the thwacking balls down fairways. “England’s footballing girls play a bit, By combining the three OK, disabled people have to paper (then in Claremont Road) but if you get an England girls’ captain playing golf too then it expands words Jill and Alan into Jalan go to the lights – but they always gave Gil a proof copy on the the game for girl fans.” or Jilan, depending on who we had to. To be honest, I bet Thursday, which he dropped off Mel believes simulator addressed, we saved two words motorists would stop for disabled to my mother, Juanita. centres are ideal for all- every time. When we started a people too if they get eye contact She spent the afternoon weather practice, improving family we called our house The before crossing (after all, that’s deciding who should read what, stance and swing, and Jalans, and so it remains. what most people do anyway). I set up the machines in the ironing out mistakes. “You We always enjoy The Good Life Celia Osbourne front room, and a team of get more feedback here, and and its articles. voluteers arrived at about if it’s rainy, it’s fantastic,” she Kind regards from The Jalans, 7.30pm, induced by glasses of said, adding that she found Alan Tyler The first words Gil’s famous homemade wine. centres such as Surbiton’s If nothing went wrong, the perfect to come to with her Good Greenway After reading your article about recording was complete by girlfriends at odd hours, the Kingston Talking Newspaper 11pm and the volunteers left. play shots and have a few Can’t you stop being negative in the September Good Life, I We then did the copying into the beers (“Not that my training about the green Broadway? thought you might be interested small hours. regime allows that!”). Funny colours, yes. Trees need to know how it all began in the Some years later, a room was She has converted the some replanting... that’s bound late 1960s, when it was started found at the Alfriston centre, and garage of her Loughborough to happen. by my father, Gil Hancock. we alternated with another team home into a gym, and plans It’s a much better place to The whole family was involved to give everybody some time off. to add a simulator as well. go, and it must be better for in local blind clubs, and Gil Well done on The Good Life Golf pro Laurence Pawley, the shops. The fence down the discovered that there was a paper – it’s one of the best director of the studios and middle used to be awful. Now talking newpaper in Carshalton, things I’ve read in ages. the pro at Hoebridge, said people can cross the road. and went to investigate. Rod Hancock he hoped Ladies European Tour star events would help. “We’re trying to increase the number of girl golfers,” he said. Mel reckons girls’ golf is in a good place. “Girls are more athletic, and they’re dressing a little bit smarter,” she said. Visitors bombarded the pros with ‘What if’ questions, and watched examples of recovery shots using the simulators’ adjustable platforms. The pros fought a mock tournament at a virtual St Andrew’s course, and even tried hazardous one-legged shot challenges.

ll the ways to make 10 Aor 20? Quickly calculate Does your child know number bonds? to 100 or 1000? Know that 40+what =100? So 24+what Can I do this in a fun way? snap or pairs adding up to 7, if you can + or – to 10 or 20 =30? Play catch. A calls out a 9, 10 or 12. you can use the same facts to number when throwing, B Learn cribbage – great for work out other sums? Times Doubles, well nearly. I know says number bond to 10 or 20 bonds to 15. tables are important – but no 3+3=6; so 3+4 must be 1 when catching. Put numbers to 10 on A4 more than these number facts more; I know my 2x table Make a bingo board with pieces of paper and place which we often forget when so 8x2=16, so 8+9 must be nine numbers from 2-18. randomly around the room. trying to drill tables into our 1 more. Throw two 0-9 dice or three Jump from one to the next kids! How can parents help? 1-6 to generate numbers. stating the total as you move. +10 is easy, so is +9. I know Who can tick off all their Have fun helping your child Fingers. 6 fingers up, how 5+10=15; 5+9 must be 1 less. numbers first? learn; above all, be inventive! many down? If 6+4=10 then So I can add 90, 19 and 99 With a pack of cards, play www.numberworksandwords.co.uk 4 news

Clockwise from left: The stilt- walking tea lady; music at the St Mark’s church photo show; another 10-footer; Nancy Vlasto, 89, collects for charity as Blossom the horse; MP Ed Davey and family; Victoria Road abuzz; 71 buses rerouted along Maple Road; a young lad watches some senior jazz players; and the ‘Montmartre’ look as Maple Road becomes an outdoor art show

ould a big P hold the key I’ll have a P please, Bob Sophie’s choice Good Life plea to Tolworth Sofia Guerriero has high f you enjoy getting the Good Life, and CBroadway’s future uniting businesses and with street food and craft hopes. The girl from Ilive in one of the following roads, could prosperity? Andrea residents who want to see stalls, and co-ordinated Pine Gardens is climbing you help us deliver six times a year? We Tucker, right in our the area prosper – feel that Christmas lights. Kilimanjaro – at 19,341ft need helpers in Herne Road, Shrewsbury picture, thinks it might. better signing could boost But a huge blue ‘P’ to the highest peak in Africa Close, Oaks Way, Saffron Way, Mandeville One of the footfall. indicate the existence – for Parkinson’s UK Drive, Devonshire Drive, Arlington Road, Broadway’s best-kept The group meets of the ‘hidden’ public after her grandmother Cottage Grove, St Andrew’s Road, North secrets is the public regularly (email broadway car park may prove was diagnosed with the Road, St Philip’s Road, Regent Road, The short-stay car park by communitygroup@ the single biggest degenerative disorder. Ridge, The Ridings, Grand Avenue and M&S, and members outlook.com for details), boost to the Broadway. “My Grandma Jean means Greenfield Avenue. You get fresh air, a of the Broadway and is exploring better Negotiations are to begin the world to me, so I will snoop at neighbours’ gardens, and you’ll Community Group – a designated crossing with the council and hold my head high despite help keep this little community project grassroots movement points, a ‘Tolworth Day’ Transport for London. blistered feet and aching afloat. [email protected] back to fight my way to the top,” she said. “I owe this wonderful woman a A funding bonanza reason to continue hoping Every year Kingston Council distributes for a cure.” money to its component areas. You have l Donations can be made until October 24 to nominate projects to at http://www.justgiving. share a £36,000 funding pot for Surbiton. com/Sofia-Guerriero Application forms are available at www. kingston.gov.uk with the stipulation being that proposals benefit the town. A decision on the share-out will be made on December 3 by the Surbiton neighbourhood committee. A new level of service Made in KT6 ot all estate agents are landlords and vendors ade in Chelsea duo Andy Nthe same. Mahadeo need to know they can MJordan and Louise Thompson, & Co offers a personal rely on a professional to left, were snapped leaving the service, with managing take care of important lounge of Hotel Bosco in St Mark’s partner Surbitonian Rhakesh assets,” said Rhakesh. “I Hill in the early hours, making Mahadeo in day-to-day listen to landlords’ and a sharp exit from the late-night charge. vendors’ needs, and act haunt. After completing his degree on their wishes. It isn’t They had been partying with in estate management at all about money; building newcomer to the show New Yorker Kingston Uni, Rhakesh, a relationship is equally Alik Alfus. pictured, settled in Surbiton important.” Hill. He loves Surbiton and Eleven years ago he began the surrounding area work as a Saturday viewing for its quality education, assistant, rising to assistant independent shops, range of manager and building up a restaurants… and the river. healthy database of satisfied Mahadeo & Co, 11 Brighton customers. Road, Surbiton KT6 5LX. Two years ago he set up Tel: 020 8390 8500 his own firm at 11 Brighton Road, offering impartial, independent lettings and sales advice. He quickly clinched his first sale – a £1.1m property in Giggs Hill Green – and has steadily built up the business, relying on one-to-one service, local knowledge and high standards to gain word-of- mouth endorsements. “When it comes to local lettings and sales, both 5 Please support our advertisers and tell them you saw them in The Good Life obituaries A man with a nose for Napoleon ony Wall, one of the leading lights in the local am in a string of films made at Merton Park Studios. dram scene, has died at the age of 74. A TV and film Belita Charrington, who acted alongside Tony in many performer whose early credits included Dr Who, local productions, recalled that one of his favourite stage TTony was a seasoned, polished performer, involved in roles had been in My Fair Lady at the Secombe Theatre. shows in Surbiton and Claygate for three decades. She referred to his “ability to ad lib without the audience He died peacefully in his sleep on August 29, being any the wiser”, and said he had been a pantomime surrounded by family. He had been diagnosed with cancer dame with a faultless sense of timing, as well as an expert a year ago but, with true professionalism, masterminded stage designer and set-builder. a swansong production of the black comedy Arsenic and Tim Combe, who directed several of the early black- Old Lace earlier this year at Claygate Village Hall. and-white Dr Who episodes in the 1960s, told The Good It was a show which had special significance. In 1965 Life about Tony’s connection with the popular series. he performed in an acclaimed West End version at the “I cast him as Napoleon in the very first series of Vaudeville alongside Sybil Thorndike and Richard Briers, Dr Who – the Bill Hartnell days – in an episode set in and later directed a reprise of the show for the Surbiton revolutionary France. He was a very tall Bonaparte, but the Hill Players at the Methodist church hall in Ewell Road. audience didn’t know that. He had the right nose!” A memorial service to Tony, who lived in Ellerton Road Tony also appeared on TV in No Hiding Place, several and more recently in Grand Avenue with wife and fellow Edgar Wallace mysteries, Mogul and Softly Softly. drama soulmate Sue, was held at the church on September Actor Rodney Pearson, who shared the stage with Tony 12. More than 300 attended. The couple were a month in the 1987 Claygate production of the trouser-dropping away from celebrating their golden wedding anniversary. comedy Not Now Darling, affectionately recalled him as “He loved comedy,” Sue told the congregation. “He had a a great farceur whose sometimes uncertain memory for desire to act from an early age.” scripted lines kept everyone on their toes. “We would get Tony grew up in Shoreham, then went to St Edward’s the general gist of the line, but with Tony you never quite School, Oxford, where he appeared as Badger in Wind of knew what cue line you’d get,” he said. the Willows (author was a past pupil) As the memorial drew to a close, the congregation gave in a version narrated by another alumnus, Sir Laurence Tony a sustained and hearty ovation; a final curtain call Olivier. An early member of the Ralph Reader gang shows, for the popular thespian whose boat on the Thames was Tony cut his dramatic teeth in weekly rep before appearing named Applause. Tim Harrison Zoe; salon star ne of Surbiton’s longest-lived and most intriguing A kind, caring gent characters, Zoe Di Biase, has died at the age of 98. Zoe, who lived in a compact, pink-painted oug Clapp, who has died at the Doug was employed as a cooper, O age of 86, was the youngest an upholstery apprentice and then house in Cottage Grove, was the altogether more humble-sounding Zoe Smith when she was born in of three brothers born in a motor engineer, working with his Weybridge on May 9 1916. DSurbiton to Ada and Jimmy Clapp. brother Tony at Prince Machines in Her father was a furniture maker, her mother a He attended primary school in Norbiton, before going on the road as milliner, but Zoe had a fascination for hairdressing, Alpha Road before going to Hollyfield a sales rep, where his success earned working initially in the West End as a salon receptionist, School, on its old site in Hollyfield ‘reward’ trips to far-flung places but later taking up comb and scissors herself. Road. including Bermuda and Mexico. During the Second World War she worked at a He did two years of national service This encouraged Doug and Rose hairdressers in New Malden, taking over the running of in the Royal Navy, and began going to travel more widely, although they the business when the two brothers who owned it were out with Rose Hill. They wed in 1952, always enjoyed returning to the home called up. a marriage which lasted more than in Beresford Avenue that they shared In 1948 she married one of the brothers, taking his 62 years. for 42 years; the scene of numerous distinctive and rather more exotic surname, Di Biase. Their only child, Debra, led the parties and gatherings. Nearly a century after tributes at Doug’s funeral in August. Doug, a proud grandfather to it was founded, there Courtney, was a great fan is still a Di Biase salon of sport who liked a modest at 54 High Street, New flutter, whether on the dogs, Malden. the horses or round the She and husband card table with the family at Frank ran a salon Christmas. together in Kingston, In her eulogy at Kingston and became leading Crematorium, Debra lights in European summed up her father as a hairdressing Surbitonian with impeccable competitions, with Zoe manners. modelling the latest “He was impatient, trends. impetuous, sometimes a Many of the Surbiton bit like a bull in a china area’s prominent shop; always immaculately hairdressers were dressed, often in tightly taught their trade as fitting V-neck jumpers in a juniors and apprentices variety of bright colours,” at Di Biase. she said. Zoe was widowed 25 “He was happy and lively, years ago, but, right with a sense of fun and up to her death on enthusiasm for life. July 22, retained the “He was also kind, strong, commanding caring and generous; a real features which had gentleman, and one of the made her a sought-after most honest, sincere people model. you could know. She had particular “He never had a bad word passions for theatre, to say about anyone – an cinema, art and cricket, uncomplicated, genuine and maintained her m an .” back garden as if it was She recalled asking him about to be opened to why he always seemed the public. TH happy. l Zoe Di Biase is He replied: “I made my pictured modelling a mind up years ago that I hairstyle in competition might as well be; what other in 1947 choice is there?” TH

6 arts Tartuffe time War music Moliere’s comedy about Kingston Choral Society has two shows religious hypocrisy, Tartuffe, coming up. On December 13 the venue is being performed at the is St Andrew’s church, Maple Road, for cornerHOUSE arts centre in a concert marking the 1914 Christmas Douglas Road from Wednesday, truce, but first there’s a Great War tribute November 19 to Saturday, on Saturday November 22 at 7.30pm November 22 at 7.45pm. in Kingston Parish Church featuring Tickets £8 (£6 concs) via soprano Susanna Hurrell and baritone www.thecornerhouse.org Gareth Brynmor, with Andrew Griffiths The show marks the relaunch conducting. Tickets £15, £13 concs, £5 of the arts centre’s inHOUSE U18s. Box office: 020 8977 4801. productions. Director Tanju Duncan said: “We will rely heavily on characterisation Show auditions bringing out the fun, making it a The Surbiton-based Hinchley Manor bright, light and energetic show.” Operatic Society will perform South Meanwhile, this month at the Pacific... and is on the lookout for cornerHOUSE: Austen powers enthusiastic new singers, especially Sat Oct 18: Crafty Afty from Was that Jane Austen herself, men. The Rodgers & Hammerstein 1-3pm with embroidery, card- sweeping through Surbiton in the classic will be staged in mid-May making, weaving, painting. Free. festival parade? No, it was Libby at Epsom Playhouse. Auditions will Sun Oct 26: Two Welsh- Curzon, organiser of the historical be in the first week of December themed films, 3pm and 7.45pm. dance group Mrs Bennet’s at Surbiton Hill Methodist church Join the film club by emailing Ballroom Classes, which meets on in Ewell Road. More information at [email protected] alternate Wednesdays in St Mark’s www.hmos.org.uk Mon Oct 27: The Big Draw, church hall from 8pm. Next date Meanwhile, HMOS stages The 10am-noon. A chance to draw is October 22. The cost is £5 an 7.42 to Waterloo; a compilation of objects through windows, with evening, and all are welcome. songs from musicals, at the Vera a range of materials provided. Visit www.mrsbennet.co.uk for Fletcher hall, Thames Ditton, Oct Susanna Hurrell is one of the soloists in the Kingston Choral Entry is free. Children must be more. A tea dance is planned on 29-Nov 1. £13. 020 8942 6867. Society’s autumn concert accompanied. January 25. A spectacle Staff at Surbiton’s Specsavers branch at the foot of St Mark’s Hill were raising funds for the Down’s Syndrome Association by dishing out hot chocolate and cake at the Surbiton festival to mark the shop’s fifth anniversary. Greggs donated muffins for the good cause. Jay Patel, store director at Specsavers, said: “We’re thrilled to be celebrating five years in the community.”

Open-air drama success One of the innovations of Large, Sudokuholics this year’s Surbiton festival Anonymous and Sir Gwaine was the SurboActs – one- Colombelles, both by Tim act plays performed in the Harrison, and Going for Gold open air by cornerHOUSE by Andy Moseley, featuring arts centre regulars. Vern Raye, pictured above. More than 150 people l Anxious neighbours gathered under the lights in rang the police to report a the garden of the Grove pub heated ‘domestic incident’ in Maple Road to watch five a day before the event. PCs free plays: Couple by Colin discovered the cast of Sir Pink, The Visit by Graham Gwaine loudly rehearsing! Peppa promotes party packs One of the most popular sights by providing hire packages for children at the Surbiton containing everything needed. festival was Peppa Pig. She was Prices start from £79 for a promoting a lively Surbiton 12-child party, with a range of business, run by Liz Guest from themes from Harry Potter to Prospect Road. Dinosaurs, Jungle Animals to Packaway Parties offers Pirates. parents an alternative way to l More information at www. create affordable, fun parties packawayparties.co.uk

7 If you like what we do, please support our advertisers The softly spoken voice of Surbiton gone downhill. Monopoly and Cluedo? They need to get with the times or they’ll sink.” Earwigging I’m sure Oxfam will bear these comments ere’s a tip from the top. Eavesdrop in mind next time they place orders with on Surbiton’s private conversations. generous Surbitonians (who clearly have Seriously, there is untold mystery, somewhat archaic tastes in board games). Hhorror and comic genius going on all around Coronation Hall. 10am. Sunday. I sip us. Observe. coffee and do some writing (promise). Two The French Tarte. 11am. Monday. I am fortysomething gents sup ale at the table waiting for my coffee amid a gaggle of mothers next to me. The following ensues. and babies. One woman is bouncing her “Do you ever think about ending it?” baby on her lap. She says loudly to the others: “Well, I suppose we all have thoughts “She’s beautiful, she’s absolutely everything I about that at some point. When things get could wish for, she brings me so much joy, but really hard, you do think ‘What’s the point?’, sometimes I do wish I could kick her off the and yeah I’ve thought about how I’d do it, balcony.” Nothing like honesty! and it’d have to be quick, you know? I don’t Victoria Road. 9.30am. Wednesday. A man want to get dragged half a mile down a walks past me outside Boots and says into his railway line with a smashed-up leg, I wanna phone: “Oh, she’s just using it as an excuse to be dead, you know what I mean?” buy a lot of carrots.” world of intrigue. Something unspeakable “I’m not talking Two questions. 1) What event is being used once happened in Littlehampton. I shall about ending your as an excuse to bulk-purchase carrots. 2) Why? spend the rest of my days wondering. life, I’m talking Sainsbury’s. 2pm. Saturday. I am quietly Oxfam. 12.30pm. Wednesday. I peruse about ending your celebrating the return of Brussels sprouts. the books. A mother and her young son mobile phone A young woman next to me says to her look at the board games. “Excuse me,” she contract. You haven’t friend: “Dan, don’t even think about it. You says to the shop assistant. “Do you have been listening to a know what they do to me. Seriously, I can’t the Harry Potter trivia game?” word I’ve said, have even look at them without having to clench “Er,” says the shop assistant. “All the you?” my bum.” Dan replies: “Oh no, I don’t want a games we’ve got are right there.” Oh, Surbiton. You repeat of Littlehampton.” “Hmmf,” hmmfs the mother, and turns make me so happy. A simple trip to Sainsbury’s opens up a to her six-year-old. “This place really has Becky Mayhew Visit marks 50 years She chose a different hat, and conceded by her choice of coat that mink stoles are not quite as acceptable today as they once were... but in other respects Princess Alexandra’s visit to Surbiton’s Royal Star & Garter home was like stepping back half a century. In July 1964, the then newly installed president made her first official visit to the original home for disabled service personnel on Richmond Hill, after taking on the role following the death of Viscount Alanbrooke. She marked her 50th anniversary with a speech to residents at the replacement home in Langley Avenue, and was given three cheers. “She was so lovely when we chatted; charming and very beautiful,” said resident Jean Ryder, who presented a posy. “She was wearing the most gorgeous The princess meets resident Martin Sutcliffe, with chairman of governors Sir John dress.” Dunt. Left, Princess Alexandra in 1964 on her first visit as charity president If I knew you were comin’ I’d’ve baked a cake Keep healthy Surbitonians make more use of Inspired by the Great £10 each (£5 for students free health checks than anyone British Bake-Off? Toni Izard, and unwaged). Tuition, else in London. Last year, more Surbiton’s answer to Mary hand-outs, equipment and than 7,500 people in the borough Berry, will run a cookery refreshments are included; took advantage of check-ups to class to create Christmas ingredients extra. detect the risk of heart disease, cake, pudding and To book, email baizard@ strokes and diabetes. mincemeat, with a second hotmail.co.uk “The aim At 18 per cent of the population on marzipan, and making is to encourage everyone aged 40-74, that’s a higher take-up lemon curd, truffles and to produce delicious food rate than anywhere in the capital. peppermint creams as gifts. using seasonal produce, Fifty-nine per cent of those tested The afternoon classes on locally grown where were women. For a free NHS November 22 and 29 cost possible,” said Toni. check-up, call 020 8547 6805.

Reclaim the streets by Morris Thain It’s always so impressive when Our old town pulls together. A tribute to the volunteers Who is the jean genie? (thank heavens for the weather). Out and about, delivering last month’s Good Life, one of our noble volunteers came across... an abandoned pair of How lovely would be Surbiton jeans; washed, ironed, neatly folded and placed on a wall Without the motor cars, in Avenue South. Nobody was around. Is there a denim A peaceful, tranquil throwback... surplus? Is someone wandering around the area in their or was that Life on Mars? pants? It throws up so many questions.

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