Worcester Park Christmas evening tonight!

Yes indeed! Tonight Central Road will ring to the sound of a marching band, carol singers, laughing children and quietly exasperated parents!

It should be a great chance to have some fun in Worcester Park and get some Christmas shopping done so do head down and make the most of the occasion. There's some rain forecast for this afternoon but hopefully it will have passed through by the evening, though you can always keep an eye on how it's doing here.

A special prize will be on offer to the first person who spots me in the crowd, though if you do see me that will mean that my evening will have gone pear-shaped as I'm supposed to be at a party up in London... you never know though.

On a more mundane note the event means that parking restrictions are in place on Central Road and that the side roads will be busier with traffic and the chances of parking in or around Brinkster Central will be virtually zero..

Have fun and let me know how it goes!

Beechdean Motorsports - Brands Hatch 2011

Hopefully you'll have seen from my recent posts that the newly-opened Nonsuch Pantry has taken on a range of Beechdean ice creams so in probably one of the most tangentally connected posts you're likely to read on a blog I went to watch the 007 car of Beechdean Motorsports compete in the Brands Hatch round of the Avon Tyres British GT Championship.

The Beechdean Motorsports car is a black and yellow six-litre Aston Martin DBRS9 capable of 0-60 in under 4 seconds in the GT3 class with ice-cream company director Andrew Howard and professional driver Jonny Adams behind the wheel. Things were looking promising after a good run in qualifying but on an alternately sunny and rainy day in Kent it'd be fair to say that they had a bad day at the office. Starting from 4th on the grid an early spin dropped them down the field and a later puncture, slowing them to a crawl for an almost complete lap of Brands Hatch's Grand Prix circuit, and a couple of trips into the gravel meant that it was not going to be their day. They finished the race in a disappointing 20th and will be hoping to regroup before the next race in Spa, Belgium in three weeks time.

Nice car though. And nice ice cream.

*n.b. They don't sponsor me and didn't get me into Brands Hatch. Promise!

Batty about KT4

What she said.

Today's the Big Lunch at the Hamptons and it's an opportunity to bring a picnic and sit around in the sun with friends and neighbours while the kids play on the bouncy castle, fairground rides or 'spot the blogger'. It is just one part of Sutton's much larger "Take Part, Take Pride" programme, details of which can be found here, and this is my early notice for the 28th July when there's a bat walk in the Hamptons.

Wednesday 28 July
Bat Walk - 9.15pm
Meet at the top of the viewpoint
in the Hamptons, off Green lane,
Worcester Park
Using specialist equipment, come and
learn about the different species of bat
in this part of Sutton; their behaviour, life
cycles and identification
Suggested £3 donation
Advance booking advisable, contact
sncv@sutton.gov.uk
sutton.gov.uk/environment/sncv
Made paths, short grass and wooden
boardwalk should be suitable for almost all
mobility levels

Tomorrow is the big Move It At The Manor event in Sutton from 12-5pm and another excuse to take advantage of the good weather:

BIKE - Have a go on the cycle obstacle course, get competitive on the cycle challenge, get a safety check and learn basic bike maintenance.

BIKE STUNTS - Watch Team Extreme as they display incredible feats of skill and daring throughout the day.

ENTERTAINMENT - Enjoy some fantastic sport-themed family entertainment. Marvel at the Van Dunk Brothers dry land synchronized swimming display, as well as much, much more.

LIVE MUSIC - Sit back and enjoy the sounds of the live music from local bands coming from the solar powered stage. Radio Jackie will be broadcasting live from the park.

ARTS CORNER - Take part in creating a large willow sculpture with local professional artists from WEAVE collective, using willow, ribbon and other materials.
Details at http://www.smartertravelsutton.org/MIATM

My (hopefully) useful hint of the day is if you're in any doubt about the weather take a look at http://www.raintoday.co.uk/ which has almost-live rain radar.

Fair weather

It's Friday, it's sunny and it's summer time. That means there must be a fair or fifty on this weekend, if you dare set foot outside into the predicted blazing heat of Worcester Park. Cheam Common Infants and Juniors are holding a joint fair on their premises on Kingsmead Avenue from 12-3pm with the highlights being karate and gymnastic displays, go karts (mini I presume), a band, lucky dip, tombola, BBQ and a whole host of other "fair-y" type things. For those who have their eyes on the prize then the top offerings are holiday accomodation in Spain and a Netbook.

Just across the road Christ Church and St Philip's are holding their Fun Day
"There will be lots of different stalls and activities for all age groups and tombola with great prizes for the lucky winners including a trip to France in a private plane."

Finally a reminder that Malden Fortnight is in full swing with tomorrow being the craft fair so you may want to forsake the joys of KT4 for a few hours to be embraced into the bosom of New Malden.... or you may want to avoid the potential traffic nightmare like the plague. Your choice.

Going 4th

For those who didn't have enough 'fete-ing' last weekend today is the 4th Worcester Park Scout Group summer fete with a "Wild west theme, Bar, BBQ and loads of stalls and side shows. Live dancers, band and music. Inflatables, swing boats and more. Come along and support the group"

It's from 12-4pm at their site in Balmoral Road. Details here or check out one of the flyers on Central Road.

My Google-fu also tells me that it's Malden Parochial School's summer fair as well from 11am-3pm with details to be found here.

Whatever you end up doing have a great day!!

Big day today

Today is the Cuddington Fair in Shadbolt Park from 12 to 4pm with free entry and promising a "dog-show-with-a-difference", more details here:
http://www.mywhatson.com/local/jackie/rjeventdetails.asp?ID=22941

At touch earlier and not far away it's the Maeldune Fair between 11 and 3pm but I can't seem to find any more details on that.
http://www.achurchnearyou.com/documents/2010-05-30_641_1275234856.doc
Do you know more where/what/when info?

For those needing to "squee" here's a brief outsiders view of the Hamptons but with lots of pictures of baby swans (cygnets for those sitting at the back)
http://thisisurban.eu/2010/06/the-hamptons-ponds-baby-swans/

Running scared?

As I came up Central Road towards Brinkley Road last night I was surprised to see movement from the roof of Beds To Go, next to Costcutter. The movement that caught my eye was a teenage girl running along the edge of the roof and then back down out of sight. I paused, camera in hand, but she didn't make a reappearance and I took the lack of screaming to mean that whatever feat she'd wished to accomplish she'd most likely managed it successfully so I went home. I'm not sure if it was a teenage prank or an outbreak of parkour (free running) in Worcester Park but if I see anyone up there again I'll let you know.

Like a moth to the flame Google Blogsearch has drawn me towards the posts by Michael Shilling about a photo shoot he did up at the new Klass hairdressers on Central Road. Part one was about the lighting setup and part two is about the workflow and retouching process so whether you're interested in photography or simply interested in what Klass are up to then do take a look. Kudos to Klass for having their own photos done rather than getting something off-the-shelf! Worcester Park old-timers Sean Hanna must be feeling the heat as they're offering 50% discount on a cut and blow dry with "New Generation" stylist Kelly Mudge, Tues-Thurs (9am-2.30pm) with a web only voucher from MyVoucherCodes. Hmmm..... who to trust my luscious locks to now??.....

Families the Kingston side of the railway may be interested in one of their Council's events to celebrate this weekend's Chinese New Year:
Old Malden and Surbiton Libraries are offering Chinese-themed craft events for children, to celebrate Chinese New Year on the 14th of February. The drop in sessions cost just £1 to cover the cost of materials. The sessions run on the following dates:
Old Malden Library: Tuesday 16 February 2.30pm to 4pmChurch Road, Worcester Park, KT4 7RD

I'm sure they'd let in people from other boroughs too....

You spin me right round baby right round

The Worcester Park Blogger and myself recently ranted against news sources that publish press releases as news, in that particular case the Harvester chain was the source and various local newspapers were the culprits and just this week the Met Office have discovered to their cost that having a PR person tout a 65% chance of decent weather as a "Barbecue Summer" has backfired horribly.

This week I've had a couple of press releases from Andrews Estate Agents about their reopening (they call it an opening) in Worcester Park so in the spirit of pointing out PR spin bear with me while I raise a couple of small points, but first I'd like you to skim through this press release:

ANDREWS OPENS 50TH ESTATE AGENCY BRANCH IN WORCESTER PARK
Andrews Estate Agents enters its Golden era by opening its 50th Estate Agency branch in Worcester Park, Surrey next week.

In a sign of increased confidence in the Property Market, the branch at 50 Central Road, Worcester Park will be officially opened by the Deputy Mayor of Sutton, Councillor John Leach on Monday 3rd August.

Area Manager for Andrews, Nigel Churaman said: “The opening of the Worcester Park branch is a sign of Andrews commitment to the area, it compliments Andrews’ other branches in New Maulden and North Cheam which further improves our service to our customers.”

Local residents are invited along for a free Home Health Check from 6pm – 8:30 as Property experts from Andrews will be on hand to give advice on buying or selling your home, renting or letting out your property, how to get the best surveys and give details of the latest mortgage deals.

New Branch Manager at Worcester Park, James Ankers comments: “Andrews is always one step ahead of the Property game and we are delighted to be opening our 50th Estate Agency branch in Worcester Park. The housing market has been through a challenging time recently, but there are overwhelming signs of improvement and our new branch demonstrates our belief that the tide has truly turned. Andrews staff will be on hand to answer any queries the community of Worcester Park might have. There is an exclusive special opening offer to the first 10 people who instruct Andrews to sell their home will pay just £1500 plus VAT*”

We will also have a Limited edition Bag for Life with a Worcester Park design which we will be giving away to show that we are proud to be in the local community.

The Grand Opening of the new Andrews branch on 50 Central Road, Worcester Park is from 6pm – 8:30pm. The first 100 people to visit will receive the special limited edition “Worcester Park” Bag for life.

Still with me? Good.

Point number 1 (A minor one for sure) - Skating over their inability to spell New Malden it's really a re-opening... not an opening. If you close something (like your bathroom door) and then open it again you re-open it. If you want to take it to extremes then Costa shutting it's doors on Tuesday night and (re) opening on Wednesday could be called a "Grand Opening".

Point Number 2 - This one's more tricky. Exactly how many branches do Andrews have? When I visited their website the first page Google took me to it said that they have 48 branches but on the front page it says that they have "a network of 80+ branches across the South" but I'd have thought that the most reliable counter should be the "Branch Locator" page as obviously they don't want to send people to non-existent branches. If you go to the Branch Locator and click on the "All Branches" button then count them, like I did, then the number of branches you should find is 57. Count 'em. 57! That includes their Head Office in Keynsham but is still more than 50 (and yes, the list does include Worcester Park).

Don't get me wrong. I'm happy that Andrews will be back on Central Road and they did a good job for us when we bought our house years ago so I'm happy to recommend them. My photo of Phil Spencer outside Andrews (top) is still one of my favourite WP photos, it's just that I'd rather have had a press release that said it was re-opening and didn't mention 50 branches. Don't they know how pedantic we can be on the internet?

Pedantry aside, you can get a free bag out of it and the other email I received from them promised " a glass of bubbly" and if those don't appeal then you could just go along and harangue the Deputy Mayor about why the council has been spending its time lobbying TFL to stump up £2 million enhancing Wallington High Street and not matched that effort in Worcester Park.

It's all happening now

Worcester Park news does seem to be a bit like buses... nothing for ages and then three at once. Just when nothing seemed to be happening in Worcester Park it all seems to be happening!!

Tomorrow there's an illustrated, and grammatically interesting, talk at Worcester Park Library entitled "Nonsuch Park - thro' the seasons, its history, beauty and nature". Thro'? Hmmm... It's by John Willson, the chairman of Nonsuch Watch, and is at 3pm, Saturday 31st Jan. It does note that doors will open at 2.45pm and that admission, although free, is limited to the first 30 people! I doubt I can make it unless I can persuade one of the little Brinkster Clan members to come with me but I'll have to see how it goes.

Looking a little further ahead Worcester Park Disco presents K'n'G Sounds for 13-16 year olds on Friday 20th Feb from 7.30pm to 10pm at ChristChurch St Philip. Tickets are limited but free and are available either from Like or Suzannah on the Worcester Park Safer Neigbourhood Team either by calling 8649 3590 or by email. The event is part of a partnership between ChristChurch St Philip and the Worcester Park Safer Neigbourhood Team so all power to them.



In a bit of Brinkley Road news an untaxed car near the top of the road has been clamped and will, I assume, be removed in due course should the owner not cough up for the road tax. To be fair the thing's been sat there accumulating dirt without moving an inch for close on 9 months but because it had valid tax the Council or DVLA wouldn't have been able to do anything about it. Should make parking on Brinkley Road slightly easier when it's gone!

It's a small world after all

The meaning of that annoyingly catchy Disney song was brought home to me last night night when Mrs Brinkster returned from picking up Miss Brinkster from one of her many clubs with a story to tell. There were a few parents waiting around when she got there so she sat down with a couple that she knew who were engrossed in the latest Worcester Park Life. The wife turns to Mrs Brinkster and points out my article on geocaching, points to her husband and reveals him as the Michael in the article. Mrs Brinkster then spills the beans as to her alter ego and much amusement is had at the fact that our families have known each other for years and their daughter's been to Miss Brinkster's birthday party in the past. On the subject of spilling the beans Mrs Brinkster also coughed up my secret identity when held down and interrogated mercilessly by another school mum (well actually she asked nicely but for the sake of it I'll make it look like Mrs Brinkster put up a fight).

So "Hello" to Gill (Jill?) from Longfellow and *waves* to Michael.

Given Mrs Brinkster's ability to keep secrets it looks like any potential career in the security services is history (though some might say 'guaranteed').

Anyway, the weather forecast for this Saturday is looking bright so what to do with the last nice day of the year? As the Worcester Park Blog notes The Friends of Honeywood Museum are staging an Olympic exhibition at Worcester Park library between 2pm and 4pm displaying people's memories of the 1948 Olympics as a taster for the 2012 Olympics. They're particularly keen for everyone who has photos, memorabilia and the like from 1948 to bring them along for them to see and they're offering free tea and cake whether or not you bring something. There a lot more to it than I've mentioned so do have a look at their website.

Changing subject again the makeover fairies have been at work over the last few weeks and given a couple of Central Road establishments a new look

Firstly The Cafe Experience has turned into Berties

And the Cazbar has also got a new look

Your verdicts please! Which looks better?

Take Part - Take Pride

This coming Monday heralds the start of Take Part, Take Pride week across London (including Worcester Park obviously) and there are a number of local events going on.

A couple in particular that I want to point out are the Worcester Park Neighbourhood Walk with the Worcester Park Residents' Association on Saturday 12th July meeting at Worcester Park library at 10am and taking in some of the more historical parts of Worcester Park (details from 020 8330 5100).

On Sunday 13th the Acorn Project are running a Graveyard Bash at the old Christ Church graveyard at the top of Central Road from 10-12 to spruce it up a bit. Bring gardening gloves and secateurs or the like to do some damage to help tidy up the local flora.

In other news St James have appealed the rejection of their plans to further develop the Hamptons and have also submitted another plan which is substantially similar to the first except for the wind turbines and some other bits. This will no doubt lead to months of wrangling and bad feeling so don't say I didn't warn you. I understand that the Police will be looking into some of the recent issues raised about the Hamptons, anti-social behaviour and the curfew so await further developments on that as well.

And rumour has it that Worcester Park may be in line for some new Christmas lights......... we shall see.