Tandridge Independent

“Can’t I have five more minutes – purleeeease?”

If I had a pound for every time this phrase has been uttered when I’ve asked for the iPad (other tablets are available!) to be handed back… Not counting the number of times I have hidden the remote control for the Xbox… Apparently, changing the Wi-Fi password is another good one – not so much for me it takes me three months to update all the other Wi-Fi linked devices as well!

We are in a constant battle with our children over their technological devices (well at least I hope it is not just me) and all I keep reading and talking about is the negative effects on our innocent offspring. So, instead of whinging about it, I have decided to try and look upon technology more positively and to see how it can be used to improve the standards of education and the way children learn.

I am Chantal Baker, Director and founder of Champ Consultants. We are accountants and tax consultants based in Caterham. We are looking forward to providing you with business and finance tips as well as answering your questions. Question:

I have a buy to let property and I understand there are changes coming in from April 2020, what do I need to know?

Answer:

There are a number of changes coming into effect from April 2020. You will only be entitled to a 20% tax relief on your mortgage interest on residential properties. This does not apply if you have commercial property. The main changes are relevant to capital gains tax when you sell the property or gift it.

Caterham WI has enjoyed another successful year of meetings full of fun, laughter and a wide range of activities from ceramic painting to belly dancing! Last week was their Annual Meeting where they appointed the committee for the year ahead. Sadly the current President Caroline Wallis is stepping down after a brilliant 3 years in charge. She will be succeeded by the new President Steph Couch who has been a member since the very first meeting in January 2015 when the queue for interested women of Caterham went out the door and into the car park! Steph said she 'is honoured to be taking over and carrying on Caroline's hard work and knows that her Great Grandma would be so proud of her!'

This is the number one question I get asked in class and 90% of the time it is simply that the ingredients are not at the same temperature especially the eggs. So what has actually happened and why does this make the batter curdle?

The butter and sugar when creamed reach a fairly warm temperature as the friction of the beating warms the butter allowing it to expand and dissolve the grains of sugar incorporating air and making a lovely light cake. The eggs should be added gradually (I usually add them one at a time and beat each in well before adding another) if they are at the same temperature as the room they should blend in easily. If the eggs are cold (never use them straight from the fridge) they simply re-set the butter in the cold liquid of the egg making a porridge like mess. At this point most people add some flour to “soak up” the liquid.

Last month one of the team and I were invited to Errols first Coffee & Creams ‘Food & Wine Tasting Evening’.

What surprised me the most was the incredible transformation of the Coffee Lounge into a Pop Up Restaurant which is where I sat and sampled the food and wine during the evening. Cappuccinos and pastries were soon forgotten as we were shown to our table!

The white drapes and lighting transformed the lounge creating a cosy place for diners to realx and the staff were articulate and paying particular attention to the customers needs and any last minute dietary revelations!

Review: The Village Beauty Spa, Chaldon.

The Miller Centre was opened in October 1977. The centre is a registered charity and was named after Dorothy Miller who was the founder of the Caterham Players in 1945. The centre hosts Caterham’s very own theatre which is very much a hidden gem within the community. It was originally a church followed by a school and finally became a day centre as well as a theatre.

So if you fancy watching a play, performing on stage, experiencing work in a live theatre environment or viewing a classic or recent film do pop along and see them!

Productions are held through the year and auditions are open to everyone however there are many opportunities available to those who would prefer not to be on stage. Lighting, sound, wardrobe, box office sales, set design and stage management are all roles available.

Peter Connolly, curator of East Surrey Museum, brings us news on events that will be happening at the museum in 2020.

Residents of Anne’s Walk in Caterham have been left devastated after a housing developer’s appeal to build on land next door was upheld.

Shanly Homes’ proposal to use Anne’s Walk as access to land, which is to be developed, was rejected by Tandridge District Council (TDC) in July, but the decision was upheld on 20 December.

The Government inspectorate visited the 36-house Cul-De-Sac on 26 November, and Shanly Homes plan to build 39 houses on the designated site.

The land to be developed on was previously a horse field, which had green belt status but this has not been renewed.

Caterham Rotary Club would like to say a huge "thank you" to local residents for their generosity during their pre-Christmas festive street collection. The collection raised around £6,000 for local good causes and charities supported by Rotary. The final figure will be published next month. For more information about Caterham Rotary visit https://caterhamrotary.org.uk