Omni Local Kingston September 2015

Supporting Local Business & Local Charities

THIS MONTH• Tips on getting back into

those habits• Enjoying the Autumn season• Plans for the coming Winter

Kingston Upon ThamesIssue No. 35

Back to School Edition

Image courtesy of Henika Photography:www.henikaphotography.com

Home | Health & Beauty | DIY | LOCAL Trades | Jobs | Motoring Family | Puzzles | Competitions | LOCAL Charity | Discounts | Property

Cooking | Gardening | History | LOCAL Events | Learning | Massage Therapy

www.omnilocal.co.uk • Edition 35

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OmniLocal - Kingston Upon Thames • September 2015

Contents: Local Business Focus 5Direct Colour Community Section 6-11This Months Charity – Carers UK Community Person: Des Kay Love Kingston - Garmin Kingston Run Challenge Kingston Police Advice Kingston Tour Guides Care in the Community 8Spending Time with your Elders Gardening Section 13Auntie Planty’s Gardening Mailbag DIY Section 14Jobs to do Around the Home Learning Section 15Advice from NumberWorks’n’Words Cooking Corner 18Homemade Tomato Soup Kids Section 19The Peer Massage Project This Months Special Feature - 20-21Beat those Back to School Blues Places to Go 22-25Rose Theatre Listings Local Events At the Cinema – Masterminds Out Now on DVD – Fast & the Furious 7 Health and Beauty Section 26Hair Colour Change-ups Family Section 30Keeping the Kids Motivated Local Trades Section 31Use One of our Excellent Local Trades Motoring Section 23Interior Car Care Business Section 31Words from David Wimblett - 7 Training Property Section 37Advice from Alex Clark Games & Puzzles Section 34-36Crossword Sudoku Word Search Monthly Competition LOCAL JOBS 38

OmniLocal Ltd.Offi ce 3 - C/O Big Yellow StorageUnits 1-3 Wyvern Estate, Beverley Way, New Malden, Surrey KT3 4PHTel: 0207 183 0404Email: [email protected]

Hi There!Summer is well and truly behind us all, and it feels like it’s over too soon!As the nights begin drawing in sooner, and the hint of the autumn season is upon us, it’s time to reflect on the happy days throughout the summer and all the wonderful events around Kingston; with the Kingston Carnival nicely wrapping up all the events. Kingston is a great place to be -rain or shine- in the summer, autumn and winter.But just as we end the summer, the World Cup kicks off! I love rugby and it’s awesome that we have a full programme of events being held in the neighbouring town of Twickenham. I am sure the whole area will be buzzing with people visiting our area for the first time. I am really looking forward to the games and the atmosphere it should bring.For us at Omni Local, we are now starting to put things together for the Kingston Comedy Festival, and we are looking to expand our business. At the moment we are looking for talented team members to join us as volunteers for the festival and someone to join us at Omni Local. If you know someone who is looking for a part time or full time job, or could help us with the festival, please ask them to call me on 07898 870 870. Next month we see the launch of our new look and feel directory. This will be the centre point of finding any local business which have been rated by local people. Watch this space for more details.I am going to close this month by saying thank you to (the new kids on the block at the Riverside Edge) Bagley & Shakespeare Seafood and Champagne bar, for the very generous competition prize this month on page 36! It’s only a shame I can’t enter myself! Many thanks for taking time to read Omni Local, and please stay safe!Kind regardsJohn

*COMPETITION WINNER* Congratulations to Dawn Whitcombe for winning the Meal for 2 at Busaba Eathai! Thank you for taking part! To see how you could win with Omni, please check page 36 for details, or why not like us on Facebook?

Hello everyone,


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This section is all about local business

owners who support Omni Local, and we

would like you to get to know these hard

working, dedicated people. This month I

am talking to Mark Attwater, partner at

award winning printer, Direct Colour Ltd in

Chessington.

Q1: So Mark, how long has Direct Colour

been in business now?

A1: Hi, Direct Colour is seven this year! But

the original company started in 1923!

Q2: Have you been in this line of work for a

while?

A2: I started in this industry as a post

graduate in 1995. Feels like yesterday!

Q3: What interested you most about this

type of career?

A3: At the time, a company car and an

expense account! Now I actually enjoy the

cut and thrust of this very competitive but

interesting industry.

Q4: What types of services do you provide?

A4: We are a lithographic printer, specialising

in larger runs of magazines & brochures. But

we also offer design facilities & mailing. In

short, we manage people’s print & marketing

campaigns from start to finish. Large or

small.

Q5: Do you cover many locations?

A5: Worldwide. We just sent print to Rodeo

Drive, Beverly Hills!

Q6: Wow! So what else sets Direct Colour

apart from similar businesses?

Supplied by: Leanna Carl and Mark Attwater

A6: In short? Our attitude. The customer

is not a number, we have great working

relationships with our clients and they trust

us to get it right.

Q7: You’ve definitely been supportive

towards Omni Local, even helping with last

year’s comedy festival! Are you likely to get

involved again this year?

A7: Yes, of course! Kingston is a great place

to live and work. We support our community

wherever we can and encourage others to

use local business wherever possible.

Q8: Brilliant! And finally, do you have any

special offers or suggestions for our readers?

A8: Use a local business and take time to get

to know your suppliers or clients personally.

It’s amazing what deals and discounts can

be done with a phone call or a face to face

meeting. Try it with us!

For more information and to seek help from

Direct Colour, visit directcolour.com or refer

to their advert opposite!

LOCAL BUSINESS


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Garmin Kingston Run ChallengeWe are a team of five friends, who all have different running abilities. We happen to be work colleagues at Saipem Ltd – a marine services company based in Kingston. We would like to give something back to the community, so we have decided to run 16 miles in the Garmin Kingston Run Challenge on October 11th in aid of the LOVE KINGSTON campaign.

Love Kingston is an exciting charitable venture that responds over time to the changing needs of local people. There are over 400 inspiring organisations run by dedicated individuals, achieving extraordinary things with very limited resources throughout the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames.

For many, the future depends on securing small, but vital amounts of funding to reach individuals and communities in need. We share their vision of a strong and generous community – where residents, businesses, community groups and the government act collectively to create a fair and equitable society for all who live and/or work in the borough.

The photo shows 4/5th of our team - Hugh Thomas, Linda Hadri, Michelle Fahy and Matthew Thomson, prior to a morning training run, outside our offices on Tuesday at 07:30 am (talk about dedication!). There is thankfully no “after” photo available as we all looked rather bedraggled! The missing runner, Ben Stokes, who encouraged us all to take part, is on annual leave, but we know he is training hard (in spirit) with us.

We will continue to put ourselves through a very gruelling training programme to be able to achieve our goal of completing the 16 mile run and raise as much money as we can.

Supplied by: Elaine Miller - Love Kingston

We hope that we also inspire others in the community to support Love Kingston.

The Garmin Kingston Run is based within Kingston and the Thames towpath. After 27 successful years, the bigger, better challenge will be returning again this October to break some more records and hopefully even surpass last year’s achievements with even longer distances.

This event is great for all - taking part on a fast, flat course by the river Thames and Hampton Court Palace; offering ideal marathon training; putting all your summer training sessions to the test, and all with free Garmin hire and electronic chip timing systems to let you know via SMS when races are completed. With scenic views and the support of Nuffield Health Surbiton - put your mind and body to the test for a good cause, and earn your medal with Garmin Kingston Run!

To find out more about the cause, visit www.love-kingston.org.uk

LOVE KINGSTON

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Des Kay Walking up Kingston Hill, you’ll see a whimsical forest of carved wooden artefacts fixed on to a wooden hoarding.

Called, “Adventures in Woodland,” it is the brainchild of guerilla artist/environmentalist Des Kay. First installed by Des and friends in 2012 to mask the renovation of the old nurse’s hostel, it is now the backdrop of the Olympic cycle route.

“We expected a removal, but it stayed when Chris Hoy and his team sped by, and it is now admired by many of the Hospital staff,” says Des. Three years on, it still entertains passers-by. “Some parts get taken as souvenirs and I add new art works as I discover discarded artefacts, when rescuing objects destined for landfill.” These “rescues” are the underlying push that drive his life’s work.

Des collects and redistributes waste food from two local outlets, delivering to refugees, hostels and homeless projects; liberating wasted goods and chattels, and bringing them back to life.

Growing up in the 60s, absorbing the peace and love ethos, he understands the importance of loving the planet. Reading Rachael Carson’s ‘Silent Spring’ he foresaw many of the problems we face today. His life’s work is to promote awareness of our fragile ecosystem.

In 1985 he had all this on his mind, whilst sitting in a coach on his way to perform at the Edinburgh Festival, devising the name, ‘Save the World Club’ as an umbrella term for the struggling environmentalists he was networking with.

After 30 years of successful projects, the now charitable organisation has worked with schools and the local community to create mosaic murals around Kingston. He travels the country with environmental shows and walkabouts, promoting self-empowerment, stewardship and harmony with nature; performing his kid’s comedy show at the Rose Theatre last year as Professor Kayoss.

Supplied by: Des Kay - Save the World Club

His latest wacky bicycle display is awaiting the most consumer orientated time of year, Christmas! Travelling to major shopping precincts around the country to promote “an odyssey into the world of sensible purchases,” otherwise known as STOPSHOP. He piloted his exhibit last Christmas with the support of Transition Town Kingston and hopes the TT network will assist in highlighting the connection between consumerism and our carbon footprint.

He co-founded the highly successful ‘Kingston Green Fair’ in Canbury Gardens that 10,000 revellers attended, which ran for 21 years. “By bringing creative elements from festival circuits and local talent, people could see the potential of the DIY culture in finding solutions.”

“Sometimes we have to rely on our conscience to do the right thing, and the environmental consequences of Corporate greed must be highlighted. When the groundswell is large enough, the goalposts get moved, but sometimes we need to take actions outside the framework of conformity. Every individual is responsible in ensuring an optimal environment for generations to come. I hope I can inspire others to help create a more sustainable future - and, perhaps decorate the odd hoarding.”

www.professorkayoss.co.uk

COMMUNITY PERSON


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THIS MONTH’S CHARITY

That All-Important Family Time

Although now is the time for the little ones

to get back to books, bells and backpacks, it

is still very important that we make time for

the whole family this time of year.

No doubt with Summer ending and holidays

put to bed, everyone will probably start

to feel the great decrease in family fun

times such as the ones they’ve had during

the holidays. Now is a great time to spend

more time conversing and checking in with

each other, because there is even more

opportunity to share news and events with

each other after being thrown back into the

outside world and enveloped in knowledge

and fascinating work stories.

A definite thing to remember is that

grandparents aren’t just the people you visit

and invite over for the holidays, so pay them

a visit and give your kids a chance to show

them all the great things they’ve been doing

at school upon returning after the holidays.

Guaranteed, your elders will definitely get a

kick out of hearing what the little ones have

been up to and seeing a few of their recent

works, which will also provide a certain level

of confidence in your children.

For some, it can be hard finding time on

the weekends for everyone, but there are

plenty of ways you can still get together in

the evenings – from helping your children

with their homework and playing educational

games, to having a family dinner day or cup

Supplied by: Leanna Carl - Omni Local

of tea and a catch up on whichever week day

suits you best.

One of the ways I conserve my time if, and

allow for a little quality time with loved

ones (I have a busy weekend or a lot of

work during the week) is taking an hour or

more after work to meet family members

on a Monday or Wednesday at our local

supermarket, having a catch up and a coffee

at the cafe and doing our shop for the week.

We get to catch up on eachother’s weekends,

work days and whatever interests us, then

we get to plan for the weeknights and find

out if any one is coming over for dinner, then

we do a nice easy shop together.

It doesn’t really matter what you do during

the months of being back at work, but if

you can set aside just a little time to get in

touch with relatives or friends, it can really

cushion the blow of being back in your

hectic routines and stressful schedules, not

to mention, it will definitely show them that

you care.

CARE IN THE COMMUNITY

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THIS MONTH’S CHARITY

Welcome to Carers UK Ambassador, Anne Blanche is a local resident who has been associated with Carers UK for over 30 years. It is the 50th anniversary of Carers UK and Anne hopes to raise the profile of UNPAID carers in the Borough, by getting help and information to those who need it.

Carers UK presents all kinds of challenges, from filling in forms to coping with stress and emotions. Every day they hear from people who need help. Some may be new to caring and struggling to navigate the maze of services and information, or needing support to cope with the pressures of caring. Carers UK’s mission is to make life better for carers and to work towards a society which values, respects and supports carers.

Carers UK provides:-

Expert advice, information and support

Connects carers so no one has to care alone

Campaigns together for lasting improvements and change

Innovates to find new ways to reach out and support carers

If you are looking after someone, or if you want to use your experience in caring to help others, join us.

As a member you will get:-

A UK wide movement of carers supporting each other and pressing for lasting changes

A Free guide to caring.

A quarterly magazine with latest news, information and campaign updates

Support from other carers.

A say in the future of the organisation.

In addition to all the online services, there is also a FREE Mon-Fri helpline.

Anne says, “I have already identified many issues in the area and am working hard to raise awareness of carers in the Borough. I also hope to identify hidden carers, i.e. those

Supplied by: Anne Blanche - Carers UK

who do not realise or accept that they are carers and are not counted at present. They too have rights under the new Care Act which gives carers a right (in law) to have an assessment of their needs.

To achieve all of this I am working with many organisations in Kingston, including Healthwatch, the independent statutory consumer champion for both Health and Social services. It ensures people’s views are listened to and presses for improvement in local services.”

Healthwatch is calling all carers to speak out about issues that affect you or the person you care for. You are invited to attend a special carers event on WEDNESDAY 16th September 2-4.30 pm in the Quaker Centre, Fairfield East KT1 2PT.

“I urge as many of you who can, to come. I shall be there too and hope to meet as many carers as I can. (If you do not want to go hungry!) Please confirm you will attend to Sophie Bird on 020 8974 6629.

If for any reason you cannot attend on that day, do contact me and I will ensure that you are told about any future relevant events. My contact details are: Tel: 020 8546 2572. Email: [email protected]

LOCAL CHARITY


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Hello Readers!I was delighted when John Gower asked me to write a regular policing page for Omni Local. Let me introduce myself! As well as volunteering for Kingston Police, my roles include being the Vice Chair of the Kingston Safer Neighbourhood Board, Chair of Kingston Borough Neighbourhood Watch, organising events and rolling out Business Watch across the Borough.

Did you know that Kingston is one of the safest boroughs in the Met.? We want to keep it that way and are proactively working hard to do so. For example, since Summer 2014 we have been rolling out ‘Business Watch’. If you have not already signed up; please do join us! We are interested in hearing from all kinds of businesses from all sectors, including shops, offices and home businesses. Business crime can affect the bottom line of any type of business.

Benefits at a glance:

• Free to join

• Free access to the DISC system – a secure information sharing intranet for crime reduction.

• Free crime trend alerts

• Free crime prevention advice.

• Know your local police team and how you can contact them

Interested? Do email me at: [email protected] with your name and business address.

Kingston Borough Business Watch is also on social media:

Twitter - @KBBusinessWatch

Facebook - www.facebook.com/KingstonBoroughBusinessWatch

Supplied by: Alison McWhinnie

Kingston Police are also on social media. Visit their facebook page, which leads to their YouTube and Twitter (@MPSKingston) accounts. From the YouTube channel take a tour of Kingston Custody and see what it is like responding to a 999 call – from inside a police vehicle!

Do email me if you would like to attend any of our events. Join us for the Safer Surbo Supper on Friday 11th September at Glenmore House (renowned for its fabulous food) http://www.surbitonfestival.co.uk/.

On Wednesday 16th September, we launch ‘The Real Professionals’ series of interviews at Maple Works in Surbiton. Live interviews with London’s top cops, hosted by Sam Devereaux. First in the hot seat is Kingston’s very own Chief Superintendent Glenn Tunstall! Find out first hand what it is like to be a Borough Commander and a top cop in the Met.

Would you like some expert personal safety tips to help you stay safe in a variety of situations? Then our Staying Safe Event at 10am for 10.15am on Saturday 3rd October 2015 at St Mark’s Church Hall is for you!

See you next month!

POLICE ADVICE

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Back to School!This is the time of year that many schoolchildren dread (and some parents cannot wait for!) when a new academic year begins. Kingston has many schools, the oldest of which are Kingston Grammar and the Tiffin schools.

Kingston Grammar is an independent co-educational day school, founded by Elizabeth I in 1561. However, the school can trace its roots back to the 13th century, and there are references to schoolmasters such as Gilbert de Southwell in 1272, described as “Rector of the Schools in Kingston”.

The Lovekyn Chapel is the oldest part of the school, founded by Edward Lovekyn in 1309. Lovekyn provided for the wedding feast of Edward I to Margaret of France 10 years earlier - but was never paid! His son Edward II then allowed Lovekyn to build the chantry chapel in return for waiving the bill. The school still makes good use of the chapel for its own purposes, as well as hiring it out as a wedding venue.

The school became a direct grant grammar school in 1946, following the Education Act 1944, and became independent in 1978 after the scheme was abolished by the Labour Government. In the same year, the first girls were introduced.

KGS celebrated the 400th anniversary of its founding charter in 1961 with a visit from the Queen. Then in 2005 Her Majesty revisited the school to open the Queen Elizabeth II Building, where she unveiled a plaque.

Two prosperous brewers from Kingston, brothers John and Thomas Tiffin, left money in their wills in 1638 for the education of local children. At first the money was used

for scholarships at local schools. However, the fund grew so much through investment returns and donations that by the 1820s nearly 110 children were benefiting from it.

Supplied by: Mike Seigel - Kingston Tour Guides

In 1874, plans were therefore drawn up for two new schools: Tiffin Boys’ School and Tiffin Girls’ School, each taking 150 pupils. A single building by Fairfield housing both schools was opened in January 1880.

In 1929 the Boys’ School moved to Queen Elizabeth Road, becoming a grammar school under the Education Act 1944. The school changed from being voluntary-controlled to being grant-maintained in 1992 and in July 2011 the school achieved Academy status. In 1937, a new building was opened for the Girls’ School for 480 pupils on Richmond Road. Both schools are thriving and demand for places is intense. Their badge shows the three salmon emblem, which can be seen all over Kingston.

To learn more about any of Kingston’s history, why not join one of our tours, led by specially trained volunteers? These meet in the market place outside the church gates at 11.00 am every Sunday in summer and then from October on every first Sunday of the month until March. The charge is £5 per adult, and we also happily cater for private groups at other times during the week, provided that we are given sufficient notice. For further information please ring 020 8399 0160.

LOCAL HISTORY


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Auntie Planty’s Gardening Mailbag Q1: Last year I deliberately painted a line of trellis in a rich cherry red colour to match a rather nice purple-leafed tree over-hanging from the neighbour’s garden. Sadly it has now died, and I would like to replace it with a similarly coloured plant.

A1: The same thing happened to me, and the problem I had was finding a replacement that didn’t take up too much space. A plant courtesy of a neighbour gave me all the height and colour I needed without taking up any ground space in my yard. My suggestion would be Berberis thunbergii ‘Atropurpurea’ which you could prune back hard to the fence line, if space is an issue.

Q2: Where is the best place to set up a bird table??

A2: If you want to enjoy the sight of these garden visitors, put the table where you can watch it in comfort. If there are any cats in the neighbourhood, then the best place is right in the middle of the lawn, far away from fences and other cat launching pads. The most important thing to remember is that if you start to put out food, you must do it regularly. The birds will come to rely on you, especially in the dark and cold winter months.

Q3: I have had a lavender plant in my garden for about 3 years, and it has never flowered. What can I do about it?

A3: I would suggest that you may have been feeding with a nitrogen-rich fertiliser, and would recommend one that is higher in potassium. If you read the label, you will see the NPK values; you need one that is higher in K than the other two. Although it is now a little late to be thinking about fertilising, do remember this for next spring. If that doesn’t work next year, just dig it up and replace it with a new plant!

Supplied by: Valerie Munro - Auntie Planty

Q4: I have an east-facing wall in my garden and am wondering if a winter jasmine would grow well there?

A4: No, and jasmine is not the only plant that should be kept away from east walls; camellia and magnolias would also suffer. Even in the UK’s short bursts of winter sunlight, the warmth of the morning sun would bring about a swift thaw after a night of frost, and turn the flowers brown. Only on a north wall will the plant be able to thaw slowly and safely each day. In addition, the extra shade provided by a north wall encourages it to grow taller.

© 2015 Valerie McBride-Munro

Auntie Planty is a chartered horticulturist. She helps you develop your own garden Action Plan to ensure the best possible results for you and your plants.

GARDENING SECTION


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Handy Headboard TipsSome beds come with a headboard, some

don’t. For many, there’s no preference, as

long as its propped against a wall anyway.

Sometimes however, it is more convenient to

have a headboard, so that you can pull your

bed away from the wall a few inches, maybe

it sits too close to your radiator? If you would

like to give your bed a hint of style, or you

feel it would benefit from a heightened edge,

here are some tips on where to start:

Choose your wood. Most headboards are

wooden, however you can also opt for

metals such as tin roofing material, or even

use chalkboard and give yourself a giant

handy notepad to jot down memos, special

occasions or even little notes for your loved

ones? If you are opting for wood, you can

always recycle by using things like doors old

tables, a simple piece of plywood and so on –

after all, you’ll need a big piece to create the

headboard.

Select any other materials needed. If you’re

opting for comfort and style too, remember to

purchase some soft padding and upholstering

material too, such as foam or a standard

mattress topper and some nice polyester

cloth in your preferred style. Why not create

a headboard to coordinate with your room

decor?

Cut the wood to the dimensions needed.

Measure the width of your bed and mark it

on the piece of wood, and don’t be afraid to

leave a little extra length if you’re unsure

– better to cut a little more off than to have

no way of adding length later. You may even

be able to have a professional cut the wood

for you when buying from a hardware store.


If you’re really handy with a saw, you can

create a stylish shape to your headboard,

with decorative curves and slopes.

Create padding and upholstering (if

applicable). Place your choice of padding (if

you are using any) over the headboard and

trace the outline, then cut to fit exactly, and

secure onto the board so it doesn’t move,

using glue. When cutting your covering

material, make sure it is bigger than the

outline of your headboard, to leave room for

stapling onto the back of the headboard; up

to 5 inches should work well.

Secure. Pull the fabric until taut, then staple

to secure it an inch or two from the edges,

and continue around headboard until you

are confident it will remain steady. If you’d

like to neaten the excess material, simply

tuck it underneath and smooth down. You

can iron out your headboard if it looks a little

wrinkled.

DIY SECTION

15


September, Time for New Years Resolutions... All homework done by 6; daily regimes of times tables, number bonds, reading and spelling; not to mention music practice and nutritious meals! Come off it, it’s not going to happen! Remember, you can only focus on a couple of things at a time.

This term, is it going to be getting reading going, or writing? Tables or number bonds? Homework or music practice? Each one takes forward planning and organisation. Discuss these resolutions with your children. What do they think would help them most this year? Getting them onside (with possibly a reward at the end of each week) is often half the battle.

Here’s some suggestions for primary aged children:

A few minutes work with a drink and a biscuit, plus 100% attention as soon as you get in is worth 2 hours work later on when the telly or computer challenges your mind. For younger children, this involves an adult working with them. So leave the dinner till later, or start it early and put it on hold. With older children, an adult close by to help and encourager is vital, so keep them in the kitchen with you - far better than doing homework in their own room.

Keep goals small. For those who find them hard, 2 x tables learned properly in half a term is much better than struggling with one per week. This gives time to learn and over learn before moving on (and still means 6 per year). For those who need to learn in tiny chunks, introduce 2 new facts per day and continue to revise facts already known.

Practise spellings 3 times per week (not just once) and revise them 2 weeks later. Don’t forget to revise addition and subtraction facts to 20. Amazing how many children know their tables well, but still need to add 12 and 6 on their fingers. Maybe using dice or a pack

Supplied by: Celia Osbourne - NumberWorks’n’Words

of cards could make this more of a game?

Older children are always more difficult to convince, but instituting a daily look at their homework diary helps everyone to forward plan and keep on top of things. However, after 20 to 30 minutes concentration, most children have had enough and need downtime.

Remember, numberworks ‘n’ words is here to help. If you are focusing on the reading, we can help with the maths, and vice versa. We provide targeted work with loads of 1 to 1 support for children of all ages and levels of ability. Activities are varied and there are no distractions, so children can keep focused for a whole hour. What’s more, they really enjoy coming along.

So if this year, you want your child to get to grips with maths concepts or get over literacy hurdles, give us a call. If you want to push them on, ready for 11 plus, sats or gcse, then we’re ready to help.

LEARNING SECTION


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Tips for Keeping up at HomeEveryone is settling into their usual routines

once again, both getting back to education

and heading into work, so we all have a lot on

our plates. Sometimes we find that the house

suffers as a result – no longer can you find

a nice opened up Sunday afternoon to get

things sorted, and timekeeping is a real issue.

Make things easier by getting organised and

avoiding overworking.

Don’t let clutter become a problem! Its so

easy to let things get out of hand and become

a bit of a hoarder, I myself am guilty of doing

the same thing at times! If you make a point

of setting aside a day every couple of weeks,

or monthly if you prefer, to have a think

about what still gets used and what is just a

waste of space in your drawers or cupboards.

You could start a Christmas fund early and

get some of those overlooked belongings on

trading sites like Ebay, or have a boot sale?

You never know what treasures you’ve got

hiding around the house, and where there

are a pairs of shoes you never wear, there

may be a real find for someone, somewhere

else. Auctions sometimes offer free listing

too, so you can always pick a free day to add

your items online, in whatever way suits you

best. Some people find these sort of auction

listings a little high maintenance in terms

of management, but when you get into the

swing of it you can even get it set up for

weekend check ups only. If you’d prefer not

to sell your old goods, why not take them to

your local charity shop?

Try starting a job rota system. Especially if

you have children, or you live with friends, a


system such as this can really come in handy

to make sure everyone is doing their part,

in a way that suits their lifestyle. Knowing

each other’s routines allows you to get help

without putting anyone out, or you can each

pick which of the coming weeks works best

for you, and everyone does their share in

turns. If you’re doing one for the kids, why

not offer pocket money rewards for jobs they

tick off? Make it more fun by using a sticker

system if possible (the more stickers they

collect, the more pocket money, tougher jobs

get more stickers, etc).

This helps you keep on top of things, and

gives them a little insight into what its like

to earn for themselves, which is always a

good life lesson and experience. If you’re

worried about finding enough change to

reward your children, why not treat them in

some other way, eg. let them choose what’s

for dinner? It sounds simple, and it is, but

it’ll definitely help keep everyone in high

spirits and won’t let all the hardwork fall

onto you.

HOME SECTION


18

The Cooking Corner The Cooking Corner The Cooking Corner

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp olive oil• 2 onions, coarsely chopped• 1 garlic clove, crushed• 1¼ litres chicken/veg stock• 800g organic chopped tomatoes• 3 bay leaves• 4 tbsp green pesto • fresh basil to garnish

Method:

1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan, add the onions and garlic, and cook gently for a few minutes, stirring from time to time, until soft but not coloured.

2. Pour in the stock, add the tomatoes, their juice and the bay leaves. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.

3. Discard the bay leaves. Purée the soup in a food processor or with a hand blender until smooth.

4. Return the soup to the pan, add the pesto, and heat through, seasoning to taste.

5. Serve at once, garnished with basil leaves.

Nutritional value (100ml):Carbohydrates: 12Vegetable portion: 1

Leonie Wright runs EatWright and is a nutritional coach, speaker and author of the no added sugar recipe book, CookWright. She is passionate about informing, motivating and encouraging people to look at food as a way of improving their health, fi tness and waistline.

She offers a 6 week healthy eating plan, healthy lunch and dinner talks and 2 online courses.

For more information, and to order Leonie’s recipe book, visit www.eatwright.co.uk

This article was supplied by Leonie Wright from Eat Wright.

Tomato SoupServes 6-8

19


KIDS SECTION

As hectic schedules begin again inSeptember and the new autumn termbegins at school, emotions can be mixedfor both children and parents alike.Excitement, relief, anxiety, trepidation,tiredness… …a bubbling concoction ofmoods that can raise tempers and upsetchildren’s sensitive circadian rhythms.How can you and your child cope calmly,soothing and mellowing moods to sailthrough September and beyond, feeling incontrol and happy, ready to face thefrazzles of phrenetic, family life?

There is a solution!Come to an amazingParent and ChildPositive TouchWorkshop run byCarole McGrath,founder of The PeerMassage Project.Take some time outwith your child andlearn some trulyvaluable life skills topromote calmnessand relaxation inboth body and mind. Help your childbenefit from massage stories that have across-curricular impact, tying in withliteracy, science and humanities, linked tothe National Curriculum in Primaryschools. Back up your newly acquiredknowledge with inspirational CD’s withsimple step-by-step instructions to helpyou on your journey!

Positive Touch reaches out to schoolsin Kingston and beyond!Positive Touch is spreading it’s waythrough Kingston Primary schools wherechildren, teachers, parents and carers arereally seeing and feeling the benefits.Amazing schools such as Grand Avenue,

Tolworth Infants and Juniors, Coombe HillInfants, Alexandra Infants, Green LanePrimary, Latchmere and MeadlandsAnd many more support and endorse The Peer Massage Project, Positive TouchProgramme.

Feedback from parents and childrenafter workshops“Phenomenal!”“Great, excellent!”“I had the best quality time with my son!”“Lovely to take time out of busy lives to spend quality time with your child!”“Excellent, very informative, helpful wind down!”“I think massage is good for you becauseif you have had an argument at break, it helps you calm down and forget the argument that you had.”“I think that massage is a great skill to learn because it’s really calming and you help other people.”

So don’t delay! Join a workshop today!SIMPLE, TRIED AND TESTED WITHPOSITIVE RESULTS.

*Normal price £20 for parent and child!

[email protected] or call 07802241308

IT’S COOL TO BE CALM IN KINGSTON

www.peermassageproject.co.uk

CALLING ALL PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN, PARENTS AND CARERS!

BOOK YOUR AUTUMN WORKSHOP NOW*

LEARN VALUABLE LIFE SKILLS TO HELP CHILDREN AT SCHOOL, AT HOME AND YOU AT WORK!

READERS OF OMNI LOCAL MENTION THIS ARTICLE AND GET A50% DISCOUNT ON A WORKSHOP!


20

Beat Those Back to School Blues!As holidays end, and temperatures drop, routines are setting in again (sorry for the reminder!). However, there is a lot to look forward to this time of year!

The heat is finally being turned down. Following the sunny months (all excluding those odd rainy spells) the heat has left a lot of us feeling tuckered out, short-tempered and possibly sunburnt! Now, we can enjoy the coming Autumn - with crisp, cool evenings and some great fashion swap-overs.

No doubt, we’ll miss the opportunity to hit the beach, but with the holiday months out of the way and the office doors blowing back open, I’m sure we’ll all feel the simple joy of mild temperatures at work. The real joy sets in when you start walking through those crunchy Autumn leaves and begin planning for the chilly months.

Schools back on! Sadly, the opportunity is fading a little when it comes to spending quality time vacationing with your little ones and having to worry less about timekeeping – but lets face it, with schools out and the kids looking for some fun in the sun, you probably haven’t gotten a lay in for quite some time anyway!

With the little ones back at school, they’ll be soaking up lots of knowledge, catching up with friends, and giving you the opportunity

for a little more me-time. This isn’t to say that there will be tons of free time, or that us grown-ups won’t have to get back to work, but it does mean a little less time entertaining the little ones, and more early nights/rises (hopefully!).

Special occasions! Excluding Birthdays, Anniversaries and other special events that may be held a little more privately, now comes the time where those traditional and International holidays come about. First on the list – Halloween! Following old stories about ghosts and ghouls, its mainly just a reason for people to be whatever they want to be and for the kiddies to pig out on “Trick or Treating” loot, which doesn’t sound bad to me!

Everyone, everywhere gets to show their creative side, scare the living daylights out of each other, or throw a party! At home, we have a tendency to go the whole nine yards, meaning tacky bats, ghosts and pumpkin decorations, monster-themed playlists and party snacks, spooky lighting and costume contests – you’re never too old to appreciate a good themed party! Now is a great time to get planning, especially when costume shopping online.


SPECIAL FEATURE

21


Kingston Carnival is Back! It has returned to spread smiles and excitement throughout the area and provide a lot of fun activities for residents and visitors. Fun for all the family, full of local talent, and supported by the Environment Centre in New Malden, there has been a lot of anticipation over this year’s comeback. We will finally see the market place packed with people as they participate in one of Kingston’s favourite events!

Previous events held have included live music and performances, as well as some fantastic artists and DJing sets. The Rose Theatre have also played a large part in the Kingston Carnival with children’s workshops, and plenty of games and activities have been available for the kids in the Memorial Gardens and at the All Saints Church.

There’s a lot more fun on the way! If you aren’t around to appreciate this year’s Carnival or don’t celebrate Halloween –

remember, there is plenty more fun to come! Just around the corner comes the Laugh Kingston Comedy Festival (this year held in November), as well as Guy Fawkes Night, (which means firework displays!) and soon enough – Christmas!

We still have a few months until these events actually come around, but there is no reason we can’t start revelling in the excitement already – or start putting a little bit of money away to fund the big events!


22

Local EventsTry Energy Healing & Reiki(Every Thursday afternoon)Donations WelcomeEnergising the body, releasing tension and stimulating self-healing with experienced and qualifi ed therapists. All welcome from 1:30pm - 3:30pm.Call 07814 914 163 or pop into the Healing Trust for more information. Location: 2nd Floor, United Reform Church, Eden Street, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey KT1 1HZ (opposite old post offi ce)

Argentine Tango Classes and Dancing(Every Wednesday until 16th December 2015)£5pp for dancing only, £10pp for evening class + dancingExperienced teachers Leonardo and Tracey share their techniques through fun, enjoyable classes to suit all levels.Call 07702 081 529 or visit www.tango-fandango.co.uk/kingston.html for more information Location: Kingston Workmen’s Club & Institute, 25 Old London Road, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey KT2 6ND

Friday Rhymetime (Every Friday until 16th December 2015)Free entryFrom 10.30am - 11.00am. A half hour session full of rhymes, songs and stories for newborns to three year olds. All welcome.Location: New Malden Library, Kingston Road, New Malden, Surrey KT3 3LY

Get back to work Group(Every Thursday until 17th December 2015)Free entryFrom 10.30am - 12.00pm. In partnership with Jobcentre Plus and supervised by Jobcentre staff - job searching and application, CV (writing, access to basic skills training and more for job seekers, incorporating an IT drop-in session for PC queries.Call 020 8547 5006 for detailsLocation: New Malden Library, Kingston Road, New Malden, Surrey KT3 3LY

Outside the Box Comedy Club(Every Other Monday from 8th May 2015)

See website for pricesShowcasing the best UK and International comedians, including some huge TV names. Previous acts have included Bill Bailey, Jimmy Carr and Robin Williams.Book tickets at: www.outsidetheboxcomedy.co.uk Location: The Fighting Cocks Pub, 56 Old London Road, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey KT2 6QA

Live Music at Al Forno(Every Friday)All welcomeAl Forno in Kingston upon Thames are holding fabulous nights of music, dancing, great food and cocktails. Call 020 8439 7555 or visit www.alfornokingston.co.uk for more information.Location: Al Forno Kingston, 1-2-3a Townsend Parade, Kingston High Street, Surrey KT1 1LY

The Jungle Body KONGA Class(Every Thursday)(£2.50 for beginners, £5 onwards)From 5:45pm each Thursday, you can join Calasara Fitness in exciting full body workouts that include Tyga, Konga, Jagua and Vypa. (Remember to bring drinking water and an exercise mat/towel).Call 07950 747 983 or visit www.calasarafi tness.co.uk for more information.Location: Kingfi sher Leisure Centre, Fairfi eld Road, Kingston, Surrey KT1 2PY

A Gift of Happiness(From Thursday 1st October 2015)(Nominal £10 administration fee only)To celebrate their 20th anniversary, Registered Educational Charity Practical Philosophy invite you to join a 10 week course to help you enjoy life, live in the NOW, and turn your problems into opportunities.Please enrol in advance by calling 07779 036 111 or at www.practicalphilosophykingston.org Locations: The Cambrian Community Centre, 1 Grove Road, Richmond TW10 6SNJohn Lewis Community Room, Wood Street, Kingston, Surrey KT1 1TY

EVENT LISTINGS

23


More Jobs for your InteriorMany interior jobs tend to be forgotten, and there’s no reason they shouldn’t be seen to from time to time. Think about it - it has been said that mobile phones can tons of germs (something else we forget to clean) - so why would your steering wheel and dashboard be so different?

Everything builds up dust and dirt over time, and when thinking back, when was the last time you gave your car a sprucing? Below are some ideas on how to keep your interior clean and safe for you and your passengers.

Clean and polish all interior plastic

From the dashboard to the centre console, door handles to the glovebox - using a barely moist cloth, you can pick up a surprising amount of dirt. Give it a nice shine with a multi-surface polish, but avoid spraying directly onto the surface. Use a nice soft brush or rag to buff and wipe down surfaces.

Clean the windows from the inside

Using a standard window cleaner and a cloth should do the job. To avoid drips inside the car, it may be worth opening the doors outward before you begin. Try to avoid spraying or wiping over the defogger lines on the rear window, as they can be damaged quite easily.

Check your air conditioner

Sometimes air conditioner drain tubes can become clogged and cowl panels get blocked with leaves and other natural debris. The combination of old bacteria and moisture can sometimes emit a bit of a mildew-y scent. If you start to pick up on the damp odours, you can purchase odour treatments from a diy store, or ask a vehicle specialist on your next check-up/oil change to take a look at the air conditioner drain tube.

Supplied by: Leanna Carl-Omni Local

Remember the cabin air filter

This is another area that gets neglected and can develop unpleasant smells when they become clogged with leaves or dust. If the cabin air filter needs replacing, you can do so yourself, but bear in mind that some are located behind the glove box and others below the dashboard on the passenger side, or under the hood. Filters under the dashboard can be easily removed without tools, but hood filters may require removing some additional parts.

Contact professionals like Auto Refinish for more car care advice and mobile repairs (see advert below).

MOTORING SECTION


24

THE WARS OF THE ROSESWed 16 Sep to Sat 31 OctAdapted from Shakespeare’s Henry VI Parts I, II, III and Richard III by John Barton in collaboration with Peter Hall. Epic, enthralling, extraordinary. This autumn the Rose stage will be transformed into a battleground for The Wars of the Roses, a gripping distillation of four of Shakespeare’s history plays, directed by Trevor Nunn, one of the world’s leading Shakespearean directors. Rufus Hound will be joining Joely Richardson, Robert Sheehan and Kåre Conradi in The Wars of the Roses.Tickets from £19, plus transaction fees.

PIRATES - YO HO HO! WALK THAT PLANK! THEMED SINGALONGSun 27 SepÚna’s singalong sessions are multi-sensory. All learning styles are catered for in her sessions in an engaging learning environment that promotes inclusiveness. Not only does your child experience music and song but they get to play with a variety of props and toys linked to the theme, there is dressing up, stories, and a very visual set design to keep everyone engaged and entertained. Performance suitable for age range: Babies from 3 months - 5 year oldsTickets from £5, plus transaction fees.

MUCH ADO ABOUT LOVE: JOHN LINKWed 16 SepJohn Link is a former theatre director and self-taught painter who began painting full time in 2004. He produces work from his studio in Brighton where he relocated from Kingston and has a fast growing reputation both in the UK and abroad for his contemporary interpretations of Shakespeare’s characters. All works presented in the exhibition are for sale. Opening times: 10am-6pm Mon-Sat. Sundays and evenings during performance times.

CAFÉ EVENTSRHYME TIME Mondays weekly, 11.15amBring the little ones down for a free morning of rhyming, singing and laughter in the Café at the Rose, and that’s just the parents.

JAZZ FIRST TUESDAYSTuesdays weekly, 1.15pm– 2pm

SWING DANCELast Sunday of the month, 2pm – 5pmLunchtime live jazz presented by Kingston University

25


Masterminds

Fast & Furious 7

In this rib-tickling, yet high-action fl ick, our lead David Ghantt (played by the hilarious “Hangover” star Zach Galifi anakis) is thrown headfi rst into the adventure of a lifetime. We watch as he moves from his tedious and routine job of driving armoured vehicles full of other people’s money to pulling off an unbelievable, yet highly faulted bank heist. It is only through his growing crush on his workmate Kelly Campbell (“Bridesmaids” favourite, Kristen Wiig) that David

discovers the scheme of a lifetime.

Assisted by a group of half-brained criminals, led by Steve Chambers (Owen Wilson, of “Zoolander” and other greats) this uncomplicated, average-joe is able to walk away with $17 million in cash - that is, until he hands the money over to the wrong people. With plenty of double-crossing and a mission to retrieve what’s already stolen, this movie is packed with hilarious circumstances and a lot of tense moments. Upon leaving behind some glaring evidence, evading the authorities, and the lovable hitman Mike McKinney (Jason Sudeikis, “Meet the Millers” funnyman) - can David get away with it? Who will they have to double-cross themselves in order to get what they want?

James Wan brings us the 7th exciting installment in his popular and fast-paced series. Although fast and furious aren’t the specifi cations all movie-goers are after, this really is a great action thriller with a lot of emotion running through, and well worth a watch.

Our leads, Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel), Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker) and the rest of their crew thought they were out of the woods when it came

In The Cinema

Out on DVD

(Scan the QR Codes to see the trailers)

Supplied by: Leanna Carl

to their previous criminal mercenary lives. After defeating the international terrorist Owen Shaw, all they want is to settle into their normal lives. Of course, things become less simple when Owen’s brother Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham) sets out to assassinate every crew member one by one, as a way of avenging his brother. To make matters worse, a hacker (Nathalie Emmanuel) claiming to have developed “God’s Eye” is thrown into the mix, with the incentive of added protection from a fi erce government agent (Kurt Russell).

Can Dom’s crew evade Deckard’s warpath, and help save the young hacker in the process?


26

Looking to Change Things up?

Over time, some of us start to get a little bored of the same routines, one example being – our hair. If you’re anything like me, you’ll enjoy some semi-consistent changes when it comes to your hair, and you tend to get bored sometimes when you’re flicking through photos - only to see you’ve had the same style for years. Not everyone feels this way, and sometimes classics really never die.

I’m personally no expert when it comes to beauty trends and haircare, however, I regularly dye my hair myself in a multitude of different shades, because I believe bursts of colour are a great way to express yourself.

At the moment I am sporting pinks, purples, greens and blues in my hair. (You don’t have to be this adventurous though, especially if your job limits you). Colours like purple are incredibly difficult to keep looking vibrant and healthy without reaching for the dye every week or so, but there are a few ways you can get around issues like this.

Invest in some dry shampoo. This comes in the form of an aerosol, waterless foam or even talc! Talc works the same way, but can leave your hair with paler tinges and can get a bit messy. I myself like Boot’s own brand of dry shampoo, as it doesn’t leave any residue and smells great. If you suffer from greasy hair like I do, you feel a need to wash it nearly every day – but this is a sure fire way to wash those colours out, and it’s not healthy for your hair to keep ridding it of natural oils!

Dilute your hair dye. Most brands of crazy-coloured dyes can quite easily be blended


with a little of your conditioner to enrich your hair as you dye, and keep those tubs/tubes full for longer, saving you a few shopping trips and split ends.

Blue stains pretty well. Although purples tend to fade very fast, that blue pigment is a tough one to get back out, so if purple is what you’re going for, you can always try mixing blues, reds and pinks to your specifications, because red pigment also tends to last longer. I have blue lengths, so by stocking up on bright pinks, and covering all of my hair, I save myself a little money and effort and I create a natural looking pink-to-purple ombre effect with very little staining and damage.

If you’re feeling brave, try experimenting or seeing what others have come up with online, and if it seems too risky, don’t do it! These tips can also come in handy for more natural colours.

HEALTH & BEAUTY

27


Self Assessment is Easy!!

Or so say the Politicians. Yet in the latest Budget we find that as well as a Personal Allowance of £10,600 2015/16 there is also a Dividend and Interest Allowance of £5,000; and in 2016/17 there will be a Dividend allowance of £5,000 and an Interest allowance of £1,000 (only if your allowance does not exceed £15,600) as well as the Capital Gains Tax allowance of £11,000; and the Annual Investment allowance of 100% on any plant and equipment purchased by Sole Traders etc. up to the value of £250,000 in a year.

If you let a bedroom to a lodger your tax free allowance increases from £4,250 to £7,500 per annum. As you can see, with all of these changes in The Budget, it will be far from easy for individuals to complete.

Supplied by: Goddards Accountants

Kingston Ltd

Major changes will occur with regard to Inheritance Tax that should bring personal residences worth under £1 million out of Inheritance Tax; this will affect the minority of Self-Assessment Clients who may have inherited from family or friends. As a result it is necessary that every adult should review his or her will; or if they do not have one, to create a will. If they die “intestate”, as well as taking the Inheritance tax, the government is also a potential beneficiary of the estate.

Funding

With the economy now coming out of recession, small business owners should remember that more businesses go bust coming out of recession than going into or during recession. As a result Goddards have linked up with Finance Houses in order to assist clients in raising funds for Invoice Discounting, Plant & Machinery acquisition and Stock Funding. In addition we can prepare Business Plans, Budgets and Cash Flows for third party investments into a business. Why not phone us on 020 8941 2187 to discuss your needs/requirements.

B2B SECTION


28

Tel 01483 575078 Email office@thechilworthflooringco.co.ukwww.thechilworthflooringco.co.uk

that will enhance your home

S P E C I A L I S T S I N W O O D F L O O R I N G A N D L U X U R Y V I N Y L

Beautiful floors

29


It has always been our aim to demonstrate to you what great businesses are in your area. We are incredibly grateful for the support we get from local businesses and residents, and we hope to support the local community by giving more recognition to local companies in and around Kingston. Our magazine gets published every month thanks to our brilliant readers and advertisers, and we believe that offering plenty of quality services throughout our publication can help our readers discover what great professional local traders are on their doorstep. It also gives smaller businesses the opportunity to broadcast their skillsets and offer help to local residents. Our aim is to help you find exactly what you need, from plumbers to hairdressers, and local restaurants to educational courses within the area.

Always go local! With so many excellent businesses just around the corner - there is no

need to look any further. We are passionate about supporting local businesses within Omni Local, however, in order to keep doing so and to let our readers know what services are out there, we still need your help! Some businesses may not have discovered Omni Local or other local publications, and we aim to show them more ways to promote their services - this is where you can help!

If you know of any LOCAL trades businesses that have yet to feature in Omni Local, and you feel they deserve a mention in our magazine, please do not hesitate to send us their company details and we will do our best to provide support and assist them in promoting their business.

Contact John on 07898 870 870 or email [email protected]

LOCAL TRADES


30

Keep Those Kids Motivated!At this point within the year, it is almost guaranteed that your children will be feeling those back to school blues and finding it hard to get back into the swing of things. Following some great Summer holiday entertainment, family time and general relaxation - none of us really want to ease back into our routines. Fortunately, there are some ways to make the transition slightly easier for them, mainly by showing an interest and plenty of care. Here are some things to remember:

Always stay positive

Making sure that your relationship with your children is open, light-hearted and respectful will let them know that you are rooting for their success and will always support them along the way. Punishments and threats won’t get you very far, as in most cases, youngsters start challenging you and working against you, and raised voices and overreactions can really have an effect on their self esteem.

Remove any distractions when the time calls

Don’t completely revoke your children’s right to have fun, or permanently confiscate their favourite toys and games - however, keeping electronics under wraps for a certain amount of time during the evenings and making a regular habit of setting “study hours” and “homework time” will firmly, but fairly remind them that they have priorities they need to tend to before any “chilling-out” starts. It also pays to join them in their studies from time to time, as you’ll both have time to connect, and they may find it less of a chore

Remind them of their goals (gently)


Don’t overdo it with college talk or keep insisting they become a doctor, as we never go as far as we hope without putting our hearts into what we do; give them some room to think about where they want to be in so many years. You could even offer small rewards for good grades on important exams and let them know the benefits of studying. Even if their hope is simply to watch a movie or play videogames this evening - why not suggest that they choose a movie for everyone to watch in return for doing their homework, or a couple of hours of studying?

Get creative

There are lots of useful ways to keep their heads in the game when it comes to schoolwork, such as marking a calendar to help them get organised - or fitting a large whiteboard to the wall to jot down to do’s and cross of accomplishments. You could sit and quiz them on what they’ve been learning and studying, then reward their correct answers with treats and commendations. Its up to you to find fun and interesting ways to keep them hungry for knowledge outside of

school.

FAMILY SECTION

31


Your Premium ProductNot got one? Well you should have.

Now if you are thinking, ‘What’s a Premium Product?’ let me explain. Ryanair have a great example: ‘Priority Boarding’. It costs £4.99. A Boeing 737 carries 189 passengers. Let’s say 5% of those passengers buy priority boarding – that’s an extra £49.90 Ryanair makes for doing pretty much nothing - other than letting certain people board first. Those people are getting on the same plane, going to the same place - they just get on board a few minutes faster.

Ryanair make over 500,000 flights a year. That’s over £25 million in extra sales. Now do you see why you should have a Premium Product?

Now I’m not saying that you will make millions, but an extra few thousand would benefit any business.

Another great example is a restaurant’s ‘Chef’s Table’. Diners pay extra to have their meal actually in the kitchen of the restaurant (I would love that). Some top restaurants charge a fortune for this; so a great deal of extra money for doing very little. At its most pure form, the Chef’s Table is just making room for a table in the kitchen, right in the middle of all of the action.

So, how can this work for your business?

A lot will depend on your business and how you work, but you will have a Premium Product, maybe even more than one.

Let’s say that you are a physio, dentist, or the like, your Premium Product would be the peak times people want your services. Before 9.00am, lunchtime, and after 6.00pm. You just charge extra for these times. Don’t be

Supplied by: David Wimblett - of 7 Training

cheaper at the other times (discounted rates) as this will just lose you money.

On the other hand, if you are a decorator, flooring company, plumber, or the like, you could have three levels of service for the same job: Bronze, Silver and VIP. The Bronze service is your standard price, but you only work Monday to Friday, 7.5 hours a day and fit the job around your schedule. The other two levels of service are your Premium Products, providing longer hours, working on a Saturday and a start date to suit the customer. You may be doing all of those things already - but that is the point. Think of Ryanair: you are just marketing what you do differently, increasing your sales, and therefore your profits.

Premium Products are everywhere; Tesco have their ‘finest’ range and if you don’t have a Premium Product you are missing out on business.

If you need help designing your Premium Product, I can be contacted by phone or email:

Email; [email protected] Tel: 01483 575078 www.7training.co.uk

BUSINESS SECTION


32

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33


When should I start planning for my death?My cousin and I grew up together, spending holidays at each other’s houses. This summer, her family celebrated their daughter graduating from dental school and their son going to a year abroad in Australia. Three weeks ago, her husband, the gregarious life and soul of any party, played a round of golf with friends on Saturday afternoon. Walking back, he had a sudden cardiac arrest and died, aged 58. His colleague, police and the paramedics tried their best but to no avail.

After the funeral, I sat down at home and pondered about my own estate planning. Was my will up to date? Did my family know where it was? Could they access our bank accounts? Did they have the necessary access to the laptops’ passwords? Did they have a list of our assets and liabilities? Would they even know what to do?

Working as a Financial Planner and specialising in retirement and estate planning, I have these conversations with clients and their lawyers all the time, so I thought about penning a few simple actions which anyone can take.

The first step is to make wills which avoids intestacy, since the rules changed in December 2014. Without a will, probate can take a long time and also the state dictates who your assets go to, especially if there are children. You should nominate executors and guardians if your children are under 18 years old. Wills should be reviewed regularly, especially following changes like marriage, birth of a child or divorce. You can get mirror wills done for a small fixed fee using a wills and probate solicitor.

A useful addition is to set up Lasting Powers of Attorney, which enables your partner or relative to make financial and health-related decisions for you if you are incapacitated, following an accident or illness. Lastly, an advance health care directive or living will can also be a useful addition to help relatives make decisions on your behalf.

Estate Planning and the use of flexible family trusts are not just for the “mega rich” but can be of use for most families. They help to:

• direct assets to the right people;

• mitigate Inheritance tax;

• keep the assets within the bloodline through the generations

• preserve homes, investment properties

Supplied by: Mukesh Savani - Foster Denovo

and other family assets from future divorces of children.

Most people have life cover, employer’s death in service benefits and pensions which are not in a trust so the payout takes longer and is potentially liable to Inheritance Tax. A simple step of having these paid in to a flexible discretionary trust will help to avoid probate delays and future tax liabilities.

So, what’s the next step? A good start is to have an initial meeting with a Financial Planner specialising in this area. I can provide an initial Discovery meeting free of cost to you. After which, it would be clear if there are issues to be addressed and then we can work together on creating a strategy and timescale of actions to address these issues. Estate Planning can be more straight-forward than you think.

About Foster Denovo

At Foster Denovo, our specialist financial advisers, like Mukesh Savani, can discuss your options with you. Our financial advisers can provide advice over the telephone or face-to-face. There is a cost for this service but your first discovery meeting, or call with an adviser, is at our expense. Your adviser will always agree costs with you before carrying out any work.

If you would like to learn more about your options, please call Mukesh Savani on 0207 469 2800 or email [email protected].

The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate taxation and trust advice.

Foster Denovo Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered office: Foster Denovo Limited, Ruxley House, 2 Hamm Moor Lane, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 2SA. Telephone: 01932 870 720 Email: [email protected] Website: www.fosterdenovo.com

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CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1 Launch sailing vessel and celebrate lavishly (4,3,4,3)

2 Composition by an Italian poet (7)3 Melt some of the path away (4)4 Announcer on the radio for match (7)5 Rustic leaders of British union get tummy ache (7)6 Permit takes time for Latvian (4)7 Apprentice from Aintree messed up (7)8 Again advanced smaller sum to head, showing persistence (14)14 Damp has to destroy finally (5)15 The King lives – that’s crazy! (5)19 One demands former thespian (7)20 I put lad off with praise (7)21 Piece of music for choir at end of perfomance (7)22 Studio is refurbished late – that’s right (7)26 River associated with a waste product (4)27 Copy Spain and Switzerland, love (4)

1 Mostly training and skill show how easily something can be done (14)9 Admires new weapon (7)10 Company chief ordered to get a small house (7)11 A fool rejected Turner perhaps (4)12 Transaction includes black fur (5) 13 Endlessly show respect by going down on one? (4)16 Cut head off...cut head off exotic flower first (7)17 Get together for prayer (7)18 A very short dance? (3-4)21 The weather worried Tim and Alec (7)23 Transport for vagrant mostly (4)24 Embargo on nobleman (5)25 God whose reflection is seen in canal (4)28 Spoke but spoke indistinctly first off (7)29 He worked with vicar to keep records (7)30 Deborah started changing act (5,3,6)

DOWN

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Solutions on our website - www.omnilocal.co.uk

WORD SEARCHFind all the listed seaside related words in the grid. Words can run across, backwards,

up, down and diagonally but always in a straight line.

Y Z T T Q P M O C T O B E R F Y A

A T Z E Q U I N O X Z N S R E N S

C H W K M N I K P M U P O K H O P

H A B I Z L N Q E W P S R V V S O

I N C N N R O C H M T U C Z W A R

L K P E H D E O A A T C O L D E C

L S V E O M Y B H N R B L U B S N

Y G W W W F X A M C N V H M N W F

I I D O A E Y P R E S I E I S T A

O V D L H S A U Q S T V N S B T R

U I L L T D U F W S O P Z G T I M

H N G A I I V F A N U W E K M P I

E G C H O D Z E K A R N D S M M N

H K L E P E F Z C Z I X X M Y I G

CANNINGCHILLYCOLDCROPSEQUINOXFALLFARMINGFEASTFROSTHALLOWEENHARVESTHAYSTACKNOVEMBEROCTOBERPUMPKINRAKESCHOOLSEASONSEPTEMBERSQUASHTHANKSGIVINGTURKEYWINDY


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Solutions on our website - www.omnilocal.co.uk

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Changing Seasons and the Changing MarketNow that we are moving out of Summer and into Autumn, it is important to keep up with the changes. As many Estate Agents will tell you, there are a lot of ways to make the most of seasonal weather changes and the general ambience when looking to buy, sell or rent.

One example is to beat the change – before agreeing to photographs of the property you are looking to sell, consider what it will look like in a month’s time, should the house not sell immediately. Summer photographs look good all year round but Autumn and Winter shots really do date stamp the advert. It is important to ensure potential buyers and window shoppers see what you have to offer at its very best.

Always ensure you have thoroughly decluttered your home, even before the Estate Agent valuation, try to maximise the feeling of space in each room and area. Then ensure that the lighting is correct for the photographer and input on any particular angles you want taken to show your house to the full.

To ensure you get the instant curb appeal, ask yourself - does it need work? The summer will slowly dwindle away – although, after the recent August Bank Holiday weekend, it doesn’t feel quite like that right now…RAIN...There is always a small window in September before the leaves start to change colour. Keeping it clean, green and preened will guarantee to turn more heads and get instant curb appeal, as First Impressions are vital.

Everyone in the estate agency business knows that September and October are great times to sell your property. Most people are looking to buy or sell and complete, so

Supplied by: Peter Greenwood - Alex Clark

they can settle into their new property by Christmas; so it really is important if you want to move this year, to do it now. Once you have decided to arrange that valuation and start the process, think how wonderful it will be to have Christmas in your new dream home.

For more suggestions on how to increase your chances of buying or selling, why not speak to the professionals? Contact GREENWOODS & Alex Clark Sales & Lettings by calling 020 8239 0535, sending an email to [email protected], or simply pop into the office at 129 Richmond Road, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey KT2 5BZ.

GREENWOODS is now a fully independent family owned business, ready to give you a personal and highly professional service.

PROPERTY SECTION


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JobSpotCalling all temps full and part time- all levels required for immediate bookings in the local area. Competitive rates Email: [email protected] Or call: 020 8546 8686 As a result of a new contract gained, we are recruiting for a number of management and sales positions for a local company. Competitive salaries. Email: [email protected] Or call: 020 8546 8686 Entry level administrator/customer service in globally recognised companies. (Must have graduated from a top 40 university or equivalent with strong numerical reasoning) Competitive salaries. Email: [email protected] Or call: 020 8546 8686 Senior Product Manager required for local electronics company. Must be degree educated or equivalent£45-50,000 per annum

Email: [email protected] Or call: 020 8546 8686 Accounts Assistant required for local service company. Must be AAT qualifi ed£23-25,000 per annum Email: [email protected] Or call: 020 8546 8686 Parts Coordinator needed for global electronics organisation. Must have experience in stock control and be degree educated or equivalent Email: [email protected] Or call: 020 8546 8686

Team Administrator required for a buzzy start-up Recruitment company based in Regents Street. Must be well organised and able to prioritise workload £23-25,000 per annum Email: [email protected] Or call: 020 8546 8686

Send us your job listing for free.

Just call us: 0207 183 0404

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Omni Local Kingston September 2015