Lucy Loves is a charming food blog created by Lucy Kellett, a local East Sheen mum, wife, PA and writer. She and her family have lived in East Sheen for nearly ten years and have two teenage boys who are at school locally.

Lucy started Lucy Loves as a way of sharing her ideas with local friends who were often asking for her recipes and for meal inspiration. Lucy Loves has grown over the last 18 months and now has followers as far afield as Miami and Johannesburg.

Lucy’s love of food and cooking started in the comforting surroundings of her Grandmother’s kitchen as a hungry child and continued as she learnt to cook alongside her mother once she could reach the stove. Lucy’s recipe ideas include practical family meals such as Chilli Chicken Rice Bowls and Baked Meatballs alongside wonderful baked treats like the Perfect Chocolate Cake and a Giant Cinnamon Roll.

Every Friday Lucy posts a cocktail recipe to celebrate having made it through the week – a fine idea, indeed! Favourites include the Dark and Stormy and a wonderful recipe for Homemade Irish Cream Liqueur.

When she’s not blogging, Lucy works for a party organiser in South West London, so surrounds herself with fantastic food and drink 7 days a week. Lucy’s passion for achievable but delicious food is her inspiration, as well as the need to constantly feed hungry teenagers and their friends. It’s possible that her love of a gin and tonic may add some extra inspiration, too!

For now, Lucy would love to build her local following and hopes one day to write a cookery book to run alongside the blog. You can follow Lucy Loves in various ways – please see the links below.

We’re thrilled that Lucy Loves is joining the East Sheen Village team to share her recipe inspiration with us – look out for her delicious posts on the website over the coming weeks and months.

In the meantime, you can read Lucy’s blog or follow her on social media by clicking the images below:

For further information on Neighbourhood Watch and joining a scheme, please click here

Crime

We are still experiencing burglary across the borough but the methods are different. There is currently a burglary series whereby multi-occupancy buildings are being targeted – the communal doors (often poor quality locks and security and no cctv) are being forced or kicked in or suspects are simply being let in and then entry is forced to flats within. Please be vigilant and if you are in a communal block or a flat your security needs to be as top quality as it can be so ensure your Landlord or leaseholder is on the case.

We have recently arrested a male for a series of walk-in burglary /thefts – folk leaving front doors open even for the briefest of time allows him to walk in and take small items away such as jewellery, phones etc. – he is not local to the area.

We currently have several burglaries committed by the 2 same males in Twickenham and Richmond – both black wearing high visibility jackets so they appear to be workmen and are not challenged as people believe they are lawfully on the premises – one is black, approx. 5’9″ and approx. 40 years old, chubby wearing dark blue trousers, high visibility jacket and back work boots, the other is black, athletic approx. 6ft and approx. 30 years old, blue trousers and black work boots & high visibility jacket. The high visibility jackets have been described as orange and green. One has been identified through CCTV and is from the other side of London – criminals are travelling some distance to commit crime here which makes it harder for us to identify them as they are not our ‘usual suspects’ or known. We have a very robust management in place for our known criminals and they get daily visits and some are tagged.

Please be very aware an do not assume that because they are wearing high visibility jackets that they are legitimate and, as always, if ever in doubt ring 999 – if they are genuine they won’t mind being stopped and spoken to by police.

MetTrace

MetTrace is an extension of a year-long, London-based trial that showed that deploying forensic traceable liquids, like SmartWater®, led to an average 45% reduction in burglary, with some areas experiencing reductions as high as 89%.

We are still property marking in Whitton and Mortlake and are hopeful that related street signage will be going up in these areas very soon as well. We have seen a reduction in burglary in these areas which is excellent news.

Remember that although this scheme is free to certain addresses that are in the burglary hotspots (albeit small numbers as we have the lowest number of burglaries in London) anyone that is a member of a Neighbourhood Watch can get a pack for £25 instead of the retail price of £75. This is a great saving and will safeguard your property and ensure it is logged on a central database that will ensure that when your property is recovered it is returned to you, as each mark is uniquely identifiable to your kit and therefore your property. This also comes with stickers for front and rear windows to alert would-be burglars that you are covered.

This interestingly brings me onto a piece of information gleaned from a burglar in custody who stated that he ‘would not burgle a house in a road that was clearly a NHW area as he knew that there would be people looking out and more vigilant’.

Scams

Sadly these continue and become more plausible, particularly for our elderly residents. One elderly male was targeted before Christmas by two males that saw him having trouble parking and assisted and then offered their services to fix his roof – to the tune of thousands of pounds and then returned after he had been away for Christmas to claim they had done more work while he had been away which he also paid for. He is very distressed at the loss of money and the idea of having been taken in – these scammers are very plausible and had Irish accents – please keep an eye out for houses that are having work done in your street; if there are elderly residents there is no harm in checking yourself or ringing us to check whether they are legitimate.

Another scam this week was two Irish males attending an address in Twickenham purporting to be from Trading Standards and informing the resident that they had recovered her details from a scammer and needed £10,000 in order to release a further £20,000 to her. She duly went to the bank to transfer the money and the Bank staff at HSBC were brilliant and called Police and the transaction was stopped. The men were spoken to and realised they had been rumbled and enquiries are on-going.

To download The Little Book of Big Scams, please click here – lots of useful information

Theft from motor vehicles

This is an on-going issue with the theft of valuables, handbags, satnavs and laptops left on car seats, in foot wells – some left overnight, some for just a few minutes. Please remember to take everything out of your car and lock it. I am planning a ‘Day of doors’ whereby my officers will go down a street on their wards and try all car doors – those that are unlocked we will check owner details and be in touch with more warning advice – this is only the same as car thieves do, only they do it a bit more discreetly!

We have certain streets on the Borough that are ‘hot streets’ where the majority of crime takes place – burglary from houses and sheds, theft from motor vehicles and cycles theft. We concentrate our efforts on these streets and this has been paying dividends. However, we do need help in return from residents – a NHW in all these streets which my officers are canvassing hard for coordinators and a commitment to safeguard and protect properties and belongings, so that together we can become the safest Borough in London!

For further information about East Sheen’s Safer Neighbourhoods Team, please click here

Introduction to Baking: Come and learn the tips and tricks to a successful bake every time from our experienced pastry chefs. (£120pp)

Saturday         27^th February:               10:00am – 3:30pm

Sunday             17^th April:                        10:00am – 3:30pm

Introduction to Cake Decorating: A fabulous class to learn all the basic principles of sugar paste or to refine existing expertise. Perfect for those wanting to learn the techniques required to decorate their own celebration cakes. (£120pp)

Sunday             19^th March:      10:00am – 3:30pm

Monday           16^th May:           10:00am – 3:30pm

Macarons: A one-day masterclass, that takes you through the whole process step-by-step, demystifying the art of the macaron. (£125pp)

Saturday           5^th March:         10:00 am – 3:00 pm

Monday             6^th June:             10:00 am – 3:00 pm

All classes take place at Madeleine’s Cake Boutique, 397 Upper Richmond Road. All equipment is provided so just bring your enthusiasm!

Further information about the classes can be found at: www.madeleinescakes.com

Class sizes are small so book early to avoid disappointment. To book a place please call the boutique on 020 8878 6194 or email lisa@madeleinescakes.com

Curves have devised a fantastic 30-minute programme, designed to suit our busy lifestyles and yet really make a difference:

• The 30-minute full body workout burns up to 500 calories
• Combines strength training, cardio and stretching
• Includes a Curves coach on hand to train and motivate you during each workout

If you’re looking to create lean muscle, raise your metabolism, burn more fat and tone your body – this could be just what you need!

The great news is that you can save 30% on the joining fee (Service Fee) and enjoy 30 days free until the end of February 2016. That’s a saving of over £75.00!

The Curves programme is safe, efficient and effective for women of all ages and fitness levels, and you’ll be exercising in an environment that’s comfortable and welcoming.

By getting stronger, increasing your flexibility and working to prevent injury, you are setting the stage for your healthier, more active future.

For further information, please drop in to Curves at 48 Sheen Lane, East Sheen SW14 8LP or call Lesley or Leanne on 02088761839

Opening hours

Monday          07:30 – 14:00 | 16:00 – 20:00

Tuesday         07:30 – 14:00 | 16:00 – 20:00

Wednesday   07:30 – 14:00 | 16:00 – 19:00

Thursday        07:30 – 14:00 | 16:00 – 20:00

Friday             07:30 – 14:00 | 16:00 – 19:00

Saturday        08:30 – 12:00

Sunday           10:00 – 12:00

The clinic is particularly suitable for minor ailments in both adults and children, including: earache, colds, coughs, sore throats, stomach upsets, bladder infections, headaches and minor injuries

No booking is required and you will have a consultation with a registered Homeopath that takes 10-15 minutes and includes provision of a remedy to meet your needs. There is a charge of £15.00 including remedies.

Don’t forget, too, that Apples & Bees has a wide range of natural health products, supplements and vitamins, as well as a Juice Bar serving a selection of Organic and Cold Presses juices, cleanses and smoothies. There’s delicious organic coffee, too!

Iris Hay BSc (Hon) HOM – contact@irishayhomeopathy.uk – 0774 233721

Janie Larus-McShane PhD BSc (Hon) HOM – JanieLarusMcShane@gmail.com – 07900 633697

Apples & Bees, 107 Sheen Lane, East Sheen SW14 8AE – 020 8876 6775

We have displayed as many posters as we have been able to in shop windows and on noticeboards of local businesses that have been able to find room for them at this busy time of year.

We have also spent lots of time choosing competition winners from amongst the many fabulous entries. In the end we failed to narrow it down to four prize winners, so instead we are awarding seven prizes! We only wish we could give a prize to everyone… you really all did such a great job.

Here are the winning designs for you to enjoy. We have written to your schools to let them know who the winners are and they will let you know how to claim the prizes that are waiting for you!

Congratulations to William,Koyuki, Paddy, Noa, Lea, Freya and Daisy – and to all of you who took part!

Merry Christmas x

Taking its lead from the Scandinavian approach, Little Wild Nursery was founded by local mums Ellie Wrigglesworth and Sally Taylor – both qualified teachers passionate about getting children outdoors – to bring the benefits of Forest School into a daily outdoor nursery setting, allowing children space and time to play, reconnect with nature and their environment, to learn to take risks and have their own adventures!

Little Wild nursery will be located near to the London Wetland Centre in Barnes and offer sessions 5 days a week, 9.30am-1.30pm, term time only. The nursery will take children from aged 3 and above and will follow the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum to fully prepare them for school. The group will be small (16) to allow a really good quality experience.

Research shows that children generally learn more effectively in the outdoors, gain in confidence and self-esteem, are more balanced, more able to concentrate, show greater consideration to others, greater social capability and better coordination.

For more information, to register interest or arrange a visit please email info@wildeducation.co.uk

Web: www.wildeducation.co.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/WildEducation

Twitter: @wildeducationuk

A superb bug mansion

The Holly Lodge Centre in opened in 1994 and offers children and adults, particularly those with learning difficulties and special needs, opportunities to experience the diverse wildlife and distinct heritage of Richmond Park. In the last year a new Nature Trail was opened by Sir David Attenborough, and it includes an outdoor classroom and an award winning Hibernaculum (bug hotel!!)

Over 5000 children and adults visited the centre in the last year. Education provision for mainstream schools concentrated on Key Stage 1 and 2 of the National Curriculum.

With solid foundations behind us, we are now moving forward into the next phase of development. This coincides with the departure of our Chairman due to trustee rotation and also another trustee due to maternity reasons.

Chairman

The Holly Lodge Centre is seeking a committed and supportive individual to lead the Board and help realise the strategic ambitions of the charity. The successful candidate will be an experienced leader, a highly effective communicator and will have broad business experience from the charity, private or public sector.

Trustees

Two trustees are sought. Among the skills required by the Board are a sound knowledge of either finance, marketing or volunteer management.

Charity experience is welcomed, though not essential.

For further information about the Holly Lodge Centre please visit www.thehollylodgecentre.org.uk

Please apply by Friday 22 January 2016.   Enquiries and applications should be sent to the Company Secretary, Richard Hillman: RHillman@thehollylodgecentre.org.uk or 07958 520767

CLICK HERE FOR A SPECIAL GLIMPSE INSIDE THIS AMAZING PLACE.

There are lots of exciting make, bake and decorate classes coming up at Madeleine’s with something for everyone; from an Introduction to Baking to Children’s Baking and Decorating to The Great Christmas Bake Off!

Interested? Click below to find out more and make sure you book as soon as you can as class sizes are small!

The Great Christmas Bake Off Class
Festive baking with Naomi Lee on behalf of Madeleine’s. Includes a festive sack of take-home goodies
10am-4pm, with 45 minute lunch break
Sunday 13 December
Click here for more information and to book

Children’s Christmas Baking and Decorating Class
Festive fun for kids with Gingerbread Christmas Tree and Snowflakes, Chocolate Crinkle Cookies and Christmas themed Cupcakes
11am-1pm
Sunday 20 December
Click here for more information and to book

An Introduction to Baking
Come and learn the tips and tricks to a successful bake every time! You’ll learn to bake owner Lisa’s Red Velvet layer cake with Cream Cheese frosting, amazing Carrot Cupcakes and signature Lemon Madeleines.
10am-3:30pm
Sunday 10 January & Sunday 24 January
Click here for more information and to book

All Classes are held at Madeleine’s Cake Boutique, 397 Upper Richmond Rd West, East Sheen SW14

All equipment will be provided – simply bring along your enthusiasm and love of cake!

Please call Madeleine’s on 020 8878 6194 or email lisa@madeleinescakes.com to book your place.