#Kingston and Surbiton

[insidecroydon]

Reigate, Kingston, Sutton: the seats facing 'The Croydon Effect'

In the second part of our General Election Special, our political editor WALTER CRONXITE casts his expert eye further afield, to Sutton and Bromley, and even into the Surrey stockbroker belt All alone: PM Rishi Sunak announcing the General Election date Compared with Croydon, it’s an entirely different political landscape in Sutton, where the Liberal Democrats look certain to take at least one of…

[mizziistuff]

[awesomeactive]

Exceptional Web Design Solutions in Kingston-upon-Thames

Get outstanding web design services in Kingston-upon-Thames with Activ Digital Marketing Kingston. Here we provide the best and result-driven services that craft creative and innovative websites. We serve Kingston, Wimbledon, Kingston-upon-Thames, Surbiton, New Malden, Worcester Park, Morden, and Raynes, UK.

[brightlightshutters]

Discover Stylish Window Shutters in Surrey

Window shutter specialists are at your service! Choose from a variety of materials, styles, and finishes to create the perfect look for your windows. Enhance your privacy and add elegance to your home with our window shutters in Surrey.

You can opt for our services anywhere in Chessington, Kingston, Twickenham, Leatherhead, Surbiton, Guildford, Farnham, Esher, Epsom, New Malden, Worcester Park, Teddington and across Surrey and South West London.

[tomorrowusa]

Predictions for seats in Parliament in the UK election

Although it's almost universally assumed that the Conservative Party will lose bigtime in the general election, the forecasts for number of seats in the House of Commons are more varied than one would expect. Survation predicts 470 seats for Labour while Britain Elects (at The New Statesman) predicts a mere 418 seats for them.

So I created this chart to compare predictions from five sources. In the right column are the number of seats for each party at end of the previous Parliament in May. If the image below is too small, try this direct link.

Sources...

The Guardian Electoral Calculus Nowcast Britain Elects (The New Statesman) Survation

326 seats out of the total 650 are needed for a majority. The numbers in the Nowcast prediction add up to just 649 because they aren't counting the Speaker who does not vote.

Polls close at 10:00 PM BST which is 2100 GMT. To determine when that is in your local time, click here.

According to this election night timeline at The Guardian, results from the 650 constituencies will start flooding in around 3:00 AM BST. Though some interesting results may be announced as early as a couple of hours before then.

What time will we know who won? Hour-by-hour guide to election night

Some constituencies which I'll be paying particular attention to tonight...

Richmond and Northallerton – Rishi Sunak's seat. The odds are (slightly) that he will keep his seat though it's far from certain. One of his challengers is a candidate who goes by the name Count Binface.

Godalming and Ash – Jeremy Hunt, the Conservative Chancellor of the Exchequer, who is said to be in serious danger of losing his seat.

Chingford and Woodford Green - Iain Duncan Smith, leader of the Conservative Party for a few years in the 2000s.

North East Somerset and Hanham – Jacob Rees-Mogg, a particularly annoying Tory grandee who would be lucky to get voted back to the House.

South West Norfolk – Liz Truss, Rishi Sunak's immediate predecessor whose time in Number 10 was famously outlasted by a head of lettuce.

Clacton – Nigel Farage, head of the far right Reform Party and infamous Brexit fanatic. Because Farage seems to be leading there, Clacton may be the only constituency where it's possible to justify voting Tory — just to block him.

Holborn and St Pancras – Sir Keir Starmer, the next Labour prime minister. Should be an easy win for him there.

Kingston and Surbiton – Sir Ed Davey, head of the Liberal Democrats. If the Lib Dems have a particularly good evening then it's within the realm of possibility that they could replace the Conservatives as the official opposition.

So why should you take an interest in this election? If you're reading posts in this blog then you are likely a political nerd. Also, UK elections are interesting and fun. Monty Python devoted several sketches to UK election scenarios.

But frankly, unless Putin is overthrown in a coup or a major hurricane strikes Mar-a-Lago, this will be the best political news of the month. So savor every minute of coverage of it.

There should be live coverage at the BBC here. ITV News and other reputable UK news providers may also offer live coverage. One source to avoid is GB News which is roughly the Fox News of the UK. *shudders*

[welljustmaybe]

Kingston & Surbiton

Workers: 395 MRL: 230 Green: 3,009 LibDem: 25,870 Con: 8,635 Ref: 4,487 Lab: 6,561 Ind: 1,177

Ed Davey's kept his seat! He's just a nice guy!

[dickinfectionbez]

KINGSTON AND SURBITON - LIB DEM

[grantgoddard]

Remember the days of the old schoolyard : 1963-1969 : Cordwalles Junior School, Camberley

“I don’t wanna go,” I was shouting as I struggled to hang on to the car door for dear life. I was being kidnapped and forced into a vehicle outside my home that was wanting to carry me away … to my first day at infant school. My mother was trying her gentlest to push inside the family car her five-year-old son who was usually well behaved and never angry or upset. Passers-by on their way to work in town were gazing. Passengers were pointedly staring out of a passing double-decker bus. What was wrong with that belligerent child? My mother was equally horrified to witness my first tantrum.

I enjoyed being at home. I had plenty of activities to occupy myself there. I never found myself at a loose end. My parents had a remarkably hands-off attitude to my upbringing, letting me put on records, listen to the radio, watch television or play in the back garden whenever I wanted. There was no regime to follow. I was perfectly content organising my own life and did not require a school to instruct me what I should do and when. During the past year, my mother had been sending me to Mrs Potten’s ‘Gay Tree’ nursery school on Grand Avenue in order to mix with other children because I was an only child. I had found most of my peers there to be noisy and bossy, whereas I was quiet and calm. To seek acceptance, I must have adopted their rather posh accents, committed to immortality when my father recorded me on his Uher reel-to-reel tape machine reciting the two ‘Winnie-the-Pooh’ books that I knew by heart.

My mother already harboured an aspiration for me to marry ‘above my station’. Whenever we walked into the town centre, on passing Bath Road, she would suggest I call on ‘Wooty’ who lived at the far end of that cul-de-sac in a large house backing onto the grounds of Sandhurst Royal Military Academy. I had met Alexandra Wooten at nursery school but had not developed a particularly close friendship with her, preferring the company of more down-to-earth Liam who lived only four doors away from our home … until his Irish parents moved away to Blackwater. Despite my mother’s persistence, I may have only visited Alexandra’s house once to ‘play’ because, unsurprisingly, I found we had no common interests.

My reluctance to attend primary school was due to anticipation that a new set of peers would be similar to Mrs Potten’s charges, the only children of my age I had so far encountered. I was mistaken! My fee-paying, town centre nursery school had been dominated by the offspring of Camberley’s middle class, whereas my state primary school was located on the peripheral council estate where I had been born, built to rehouse South Londoners whose homes had been destroyed by bombing during the War and subsequent slum clearance. Patronisingly, the council had named the estate’s streets ‘Kingston Road’, ‘Mitcham Road’, ‘Surbiton Road’, ‘Wimbledon Road’ and ‘Carshalton Road’, as if newcomers would feel more at home by eulogising their former hometowns some twenty miles away. Naturally, none of those roads led to the places after which they had been named.

I quickly discovered how wrong my expectations about school had been. My new classmates seemed perfectly normal. Unlike Mrs Potten, teachers did not require us to dress up in costumes and repeat archaic speeches for Biblical reenactments, or to watch violent ‘Punch & Judy’ puppet shows. Instead, we were given interesting creative activities to do and treated with respect and encouragement. Teachers addressed us by our first names. I loved school. I quickly retired my quasi-posh accent. I had already mastered the reading and writing skills with which some of my peers were struggling and was now teaching myself to type. One day at home, my mother had asked me to put away her electric iron and, without realising it was still plugged in, I picked it up by its plate and screamed, burning my right hand. She had to bandage my thumb and index finger for a while, so I continued to learn to type at home using my middle finger … the way I type to this day. I had wondered if my erased fingerprints would ever return, but they did eventually.

After two years, we all moved to the adjoining primary school where teaching was more structured. I attended my first morning assembly in the main hall but was baffled when the principal instructed us to recite something called the ‘Lord’s Prayer’. Everyone around me bowed their heads and recited a kind of mantra I had never heard. It felt unnervingly as if I had mistakenly been invited into some kind of cult in which all the teachers and children had already been indoctrinated … except me. I had no understanding of what was going on around me, more so because next we were told to sing strange songs from a thick book of incomprehensible ancient lyrics I had never heard played on the radio. It was impossible to sing when you had no idea what the tune should be.

Afterwards, having observed my bafflement, a teacher asked why I had not participated in the religious part of our school assembly. She seemed shocked that I had never heard of ‘hymns’ or ‘prayers’, asking whether my family was ‘Christian’. I had no idea what that word meant, so I returned home and asked my mother, who replied that we were not religious. She wrote a brief note to my teacher explaining that simple fact and, thereafter, I was excused from the section of daily assembly devoted to hymns and the like. Every day for the next four years, I would sit in a nearby small side-room alongside several children including classmate Jacqueline Dixon, a Hindu who initially asked me what was my religion. I had to tell her and the other non-Christians sequestered there that I did not seem to have one. I was an oddity.

Although my aunt Sheila worked as a ‘dinner lady’ at the school, I always returned home to take lunch. I would stand alone at the bus stop at the top end of Upper College Road, staring across at the modernist St Martin’s church on the opposite side of the roundabout, puzzled as to what might go on inside. I had heard classmates talk about attending something called ‘Sunday School’ there, next door to the home of classmate Annette van Hartaan Veldt. This church must have been where almost everyone else at school had been indoctrinated into their cult. It seemed to take an age until Aldershot & District Traction Company Limited’s number 1, 2 or 3C bus arrived to carry me one mile home for a halfpenny fare. (Once I had grown to be amongst the tallest in my class, the bus conductor insisted I pay the adult one penny fare despite me still being a child.) Arrived home, I would have just enough time to snack something and then catch the bus back for afternoon classes.

After school finished at four, if it was not raining, I could save the bus fare by walking home alone the length of Upper College Ride. This downhill route passed through a 400-yard stretch of Ministry of Defence woodland, a natural barrier intended to isolate the council estate from private housing around the town centre. It was always a lonely journey bereft of fellow pedestrians and scary on dark winter afternoons, me worrying an escapee from Broadmoor might jump out from behind a tree. The money saved I would blow in the sweet shop near my school on ‘Batman’ bubble gum packets, ‘Flying Saucers’, ‘Swizzels Love Hearts’, ‘Lemon Sherberts’ or a ‘Lucky Bag’. I was obsessed with the ‘Batman’ TV show and, as well as requesting my mother fabricate the superhero’s ‘utility belt’ for me to wear, I saved enough sweet wrappers to send for a ‘Batman’ poster that would grace my bedroom wall.

My favourite school activities were summer days when the teacher would take our class outside, thirty of us sat cross-legged in the shade of a huge tree behind the main building, writing essays in exercise books balanced on our laps. Those remain some of the happiest days of my life, before homework and exams impinged on my childhood, and before my parents sent me to a faraway school stuffed with posh boys and requiring a bottle-green uniform.

My least favourite school activity was ‘swimming’ in the newly constructed, unheated rectangular above-ground pool on the playing field. Alongside were two tiny windowless wooden huts in which girls and boys were shepherded separately to change into their costumes, and where I hated my mates spying me naked. I was so rake-thin that the bottom of my rib cage protruded, making me imagine I had some kind of physical deformity not evident in my schoolmates. My acute embarrassment destroyed any enjoyment and inhibited my capacity to learn to swim … which sadly I never overcame.

In my final year at Cordwalles, teacher Mr Hales encouraged us to open savings accounts with Trustee Savings Bank [TSB]. Once a week after class registration, he would ask if we had coins to deposit, record their value in our individual bank books and update our balances. It was a great way to make us understand the value of money, particularly as the monetary system was about to convert to ‘new pence’ from shillings. Would a school today actively encourage ten-year-olds to manage their first bank accounts in class?

I made some really good friends – including Paul Rowell, Michael Heinrich and Martin Bell – who would invite me to their houses on the estate after school. I was surrounded by peers of both sexes, of various religions and diverse races. I feel very lucky to have been educated in such a safe, sympathetic and uncompetitive environment, full of stimulation and encouragement that immensely shaped my attitudes and life thereafter. Unfortunately, it made my subsequent education and career make me feel all the more like a fish out of water, forced to navigate pathways amongst privileged, entitled people who seemed to have had very different childhoods that had fostered their cold, cutthroat, self-centred outlook on life.

I was sad to leave my primary school in 1969, after which I no longer saw the classmates with whom I had spent the previous six years. My parents failed to appreciate that their decision to continue my education at a distant school tore me away from roots I had forged on Old Dean Estate and isolated my social life by forcing me to travel daily to the other end of the county. At Cordwalles, I had felt like a normal boy living a normal life. I was never again made to feel that I fitted in so comfortably.

Postscript. The first time I went to church was in 1967 to accompany my mother to the final service of St George’s, built by the local Middleton family in the 1890’s on St George’s Road at Knoll Road, prior to its demolition to create a car park adjacent to Herman Solomon’s Garage. Despite never having known my mother attend any church, she was annoyed that our nearest one had been sold off as part of Camberley town centre’s modernisation. 

More than two decades later, having recalled that I had once opened a savings account at school, I walked into the TSB Camberley branch in London Road and asked if I could withdraw the balance. It took several weeks for the staff to locate my details and obligingly add years of interest to my balance before I could withdraw a small sum that I had almost forgotten I had.

[insidecroydon]

Murderers given life sentences for killing of Farhad Khalili

A man and a teenager who ambushed a man in Kingston and stabbed him to death have been given life sentences. Murderer: Sean Deery encouraged a ‘little cousin’ to join him in the ambush The attack was planned by Sean Deery, who was joined by Sebastian Niven, who was aged just 15 at the time of the murder in December 2021. Farhad Khalili, 32, was murdered as he walked home from a kebab shop – the…

[abovaalltreecare]

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[awesomeactive]

Discussing the Advantages Businesses can Gain from Investing in SEO Services

In the current digital era, a company’s ability to succeed online depends heavily on its online presence. One of the most effective ways to enhance your online visibility is through search engine optimisation (SEO). By investing in SEO services, businesses can achieve higher search engine rankings, drive more organic traffic, and ultimately increase their revenue. This blog will discuss the various advantages businesses can gain from investing in professional services, with a focus on SEO in Surrey.

Enhanced Online Visibility

Maximising a website’s exposure on search engines such as Google is the main objective of SEO. When potential customers search for products related to your business, you want your website to appear at the top of the search results. By optimising your website’s content, structure, and technical aspects, SEO services help ensure that your website ranks higher in search engine results pages (SERPs). This increased visibility can lead to more clicks, visits, and ultimately, more customers.

Increased Organic Traffic

Organic traffic refers to visitors who find your website through unpaid search results. The advantages of SEO can last for a long time, in contrast to paid advertising, which demands constant investment. By targeting relevant keywords and creating high-quality content, SEO services can attract more organic traffic to your website. This not only increases the number of potential customers but also helps build trust and credibility with your audience. Over time, this can lead to a steady stream of visitors who are genuinely interested in what your business has to offer.

Cost-Effective Marketing Strategy

Compared to traditional marketing methods, SEO is a cost-effective strategy for promoting your business. While there may be an initial investment in hiring SEO professionals or agencies, the long-term benefits far outweigh the costs. Unlike paid advertising, where you have to continually spend money to maintain visibility, the effects of SEO are sustainable. Once your website achieves higher rankings, it can continue to attract traffic and generate leads without ongoing expenses. This makes SEO an attractive option for businesses of all sizes, especially those with limited marketing budgets.

Better User Experience

One of the key components of successful SEO is providing a positive user experience. Search engines like Google prioritise websites that offer a seamless and enjoyable experience to users. This includes being mobile-friendly, having quick loading times, and being easy to navigate. By investing in expert services, businesses can ensure that their websites are optimised for both search engines and users. This not only improves search engine rankings but also keeps visitors engaged and encourages them to explore your site further. In turn, this can lead to higher conversion rates and increased customer satisfaction. Implementing search engine optimisation in Surrey can significantly enhance the user experience, which is crucial for retaining customers and building brand loyalty.

Measurable Results and Insights

One of the significant advantages of SEO is the ability to track and measure your results. SEO services provide valuable insights into your website’s performance, including traffic, rankings, and user behaviour. By analysing this data, businesses can identify areas for improvement and make data-driven decisions to optimise their strategies further. This continuous monitoring and adjustment process ensures that your efforts are always aligned with your business goals and deliver the best possible results.

Conclusion

Investing in SEO services offers numerous benefits for businesses looking to enhance their online presence and drive growth. From increased visibility and organic traffic to cost-effective marketing and a better user experience, the advantages of SEO are undeniable. In today’s competitive terrain, businesses that prioritise SEO gain a significant edge over their competitors. For businesses in Surrey, partnering with a reliable service provider like Activ Digital Marketing Kingston can be a game-changer. By leveraging the expertise of professionals in SEO services in Surrey, businesses can achieve higher rankings, attract more qualified leads, and ultimately achieve long-term success.

References:

https://listings.beginswithfamily.net/united-kingdom/kingston-upon-thames/professional-services/activ-digital-marketing-kingston

https://www.instructorsnearme.com/listings/activ-digital-marketing-kingston/

[theshutterworks]

Plantation Shutters and Window Shutters: A Timeless Solution for Modern Homes

In the ever-evolving world of interior design, where trends come and go, certain elements stand the test of time. Among these enduring features are plantation shutters and window shutters, providing a timeless solution for modern homes. These versatile and aesthetically pleasing window coverings not only enhance the visual appeal of a space but also offer numerous practical benefits.

The Timeless Allure of Plantation Shutters

Plantation shutters have a rich history, dating back to the 19th century. Originating in the Southern United States, these shutters were initially designed for plantation homes, offering a balance of light, ventilation, and privacy. Today, their classic design and functionality continue to make them a popular choice for homeowners.

One of the key advantages of plantation shutters in Kingston is their versatility in complementing various architectural styles. Whether your home boasts a contemporary, traditional, or eclectic design, these shutters seamlessly integrate into any setting. The clean lines and adjustable louvers of plantation shutters add a touch of sophistication while allowing homeowners to control natural light and maintain privacy.

Elegance and Functionality in Window Shutters

Window shutters, a broader category that includes plantation shutters, provide an elegant and functional solution for window coverings. Unlike traditional curtains or blinds, shutters offer a unique combination of aesthetic appeal and practical benefits. With their ability to regulate sunlight, provide insulation, and enhance the overall atmosphere of a room, window shutters have become a staple in modern home design.

The timeless appeal of window shutters is evident in their ability to stand out or blend in seamlessly, depending on the desired effect. They contribute to the overall aesthetics of a home, creating a polished and cohesive look. Additionally, window shutters are available in various materials, allowing homeowners to choose options that match their preferences and the existing décor of their homes.

Why Choose Plantation Shutters in Kingston

If you're contemplating window coverings for your home, the choice of plantation shutters in Kingston becomes even more appealing. The picturesque town of Kingston, with its blend of historical charm and contemporary living, provides a perfect backdrop for these timeless window treatments.

The article at theshutterworks.co.uk delves into the specific reasons why plantation shutters are an excellent choice for Kingston residents. From enhancing the architectural aesthetics of historical homes to seamlessly integrating with modern interiors, these shutters cater to a diverse range of preferences.

Benefits Beyond Aesthetics

While the visual appeal of plantation shutters is undeniable, their benefits extend beyond aesthetics. The adjustable louvers allow homeowners to control the amount of natural light entering a room, providing flexibility throughout the day. Moreover, the insulation properties of plantation shutters contribute to energy efficiency, keeping homes cooler in summer and warmer in winter.

In Kingston's unique setting, where historical charm meets contemporary living, plantation shutters offer a practical and visually pleasing solution. Whether you're renovating a period property or adding a touch of timeless elegance to a modern home, these shutters prove to be a valuable investment. In conclusion, the enduring charm of plantation shutters and window shutters in Kingston makes them a timeless solution for modern homes. Their ability to blend seamlessly with various design styles, coupled with practical benefits, ensures their continued popularity in the ever-changing landscape of interior design. For Kingston residents, the choice of plantation shutters becomes even more compelling, adding a touch of sophistication to homes in this picturesque town.

[brightlightshutters]

Stylish Plantation Shutters in Surrey

At Bright Light Shutters, you can find high-quality plantation shutters in Surrey, all at exceptionally affordable prices.

We serve our clients in Chessington, Kingston, Twickenham, Leatherhead, Surbiton, Guildford, Farnham, Esher, Epsom, New Malden, Worcester Park, Teddington and across Surrey and South West London. To learn more about our services, visit our website.

[beeclearance]

BeeClearance

Removals and Clearance services for Houses, Offices, Garages, Gardens, Warehouses, and Yards around London.We cover Kingston, Surbiton, Twickenham, Richmond, Merton, Epson, Sutton, Wimbledon, South West London and Surrey areas.

Contact Us.

Phone: +44 7940 090403

Email: info@beeclearance.co.uk

Website: https://beeclearance.co.uk/

Address: 109 Tudor drive. Kingston upon Thames, KT2 5NR

[xuntilweareghosts]

the most chilled sunday 📖🪦

[awhitetulip1997]

Surbiton Station, Kingston upon Thames