The Sunday TimesSurrey are set to confirm that they are developing an additional ground to their main home while Middlesex are exploring developing a base away from Lord’s at Uxbridge as the counties who play at venues that host Hundred franchises scramble for new facilities Both clubs have long had ambitions to establish their own grounds away from the Oval and Lord’s — Middlesex especially as they are merely tenants of MCC at Lord’s and restricted in how they operate there the professionalisation of the women’s game and the need for these two venues — alongside six others around the country — to act as home to the Hundred throughout August has created unprecedented demand for high-quality playing I had just mistaken some hand cream for soap But when I was asked to join a veterans’ football team I’ve always had a thing for my elders. As a kid, I’d sooner hang out with my nan than my schoolmates, and as a teenager I got into Gardeners’ World in quite a big way. So it won’t come as a surprise to learn that back in the autumn of 2021, I accepted a random invitation to join a veterans’ football team at the age of 35. The Comics – as that team are known – have been around a fair while. My understanding is that they were founded between the wars, though which ones I can’t say. In any case, a consensus had formed – prompted by a spate of hospitalisations – that some fresh legs were required. When the team’s manager suddenly decided it would be OK to use players as young as 35, so long as they were rubbish, he went out on the hunt and found me in the toilet of a gastropub in New Malden. When I turned up for my debut, I could tell straight away that most of my teammates were retired. They looked too rested and happy to be otherwise. I was impressed to learn that some of the team had been playing for more than 40 years. Defender Mike boasted of scoring 42 own goals in only 600 appearances, while goalkeeper Jim was happy to reveal that the last time he got through a whole match without conceding a goal was back in 1994. What my teammates lacked in youth they made up for in candour. Within a minute of turning up, one guy said I looked like Harry Styles if Harry Styles was 40 and had a poor diet. The manager handed me an important assignment: to dominate the midfield. He had obviously confused youth with ability, and the results were disastrous. My first contribution was to fall over attempting a backwards pass with my heel. My second was to come off with cramp after 10 minutes. One guy said I looked like Harry Styles if Harry Styles was 40 and had a poor dietAnd yet I loved it. I loved the steady adrenaline. I loved the gentle camaraderie. I loved the combination of exercise and nostalgia. I loved the uplifting pointlessness of it all. I even loved the half-time team talk, in which hope triumphed over experience to a flabbergasting degree. The craic at the pub afterwards wasn’t bad either. I got some excellent relationship advice from the 68-year-old left back, Wiggy. I got pleasure hearing Richard’s opinion that if Gareth Southgate was prime minister he’d have 11 defence secretaries. And I got a lot of satisfaction learning what the lads got out of being part of a team: structure, meaning, purpose, friendship. If I’m honest, over the next few weeks the thrill of that first game abated a touch. It didn’t help that in my third game I got hacked down by a monolithic defender who used to present the weather. But the physical and social benefits I got from being a Comic continued to prove ample consolation for any low moments on the pitch. Albeit quietly, joining the team had been a life-changing moment. Believe it or not, I’m the manager now. I got offered the job at the end of my first season, which had been record-breakingly bad. It was felt that a new pair of hands couldn’t do any harm. Turns out it could. Eighteen months into the job, my managerial record is as follows: won two, drawn two, lost far too many. In my defence, it’s not always easy to marshal a squad of ageing bus drivers and former opticians. They can be hard to get through to sometimes. I remember one occasion, during a crucial stalemate against Wandsworth, when I tried to bring myself on to replace another player, only for that player to flat-out refuse and send me back to the sideline. I had to laugh. Read moreAnd that’s what it’s about in the end – having a laugh Joining the team made me realise that when it comes to trying new things and finding new ways to get a kick out of life I feel rejuvenated for a start – which is odd when you consider the seniority of my teammates – and more determined to try new things by becoming a bang-average amateur footballer Here Comes the Fun: A Journey into the Serious Business of Having a Laugh by Ben Aitken is published by Icon (£10.99). To support the Guardian and Observer, order your copy at guardianbookshop.com Barratt London is launching four new three-bedroom penthouses including a duplex penthouse a former print works of Bradbury Wilkinson & Co the Brookside Penthouses will add to the Borough of Merton’s skyline by sitting within one of Merton’s tallest residential buildings homes in New Malden offers buyers a strong investment opportunity reflecting the area’s growing appeal and increasing demand the Brookside Penthouses have been designed to feature open-plan living/dining spaces letting in an abundance of natural light through the Crittall-style windows while the kitchen area will be fitted with integrated appliances in a black finish.  Sales & Marketing Director for Barratt West London comments: “The Brookside Penthouses are a unique premium offering in between the affluent areas of Kingston and Wimbledon presenting modern living with a touch of history Each of the new penthouses has been designed to encompass both quality and style showcasing tall ceilings and large windows to maximise space making each room bright and inviting One of the penthouses extends to a mezzanine floor leading to the principal suite and a dedicated workspace to facilitate working from home all of which is a rare find for a lucky buyer Sterling Place occupies an excellent position in the borough of Merton which has been named as one of the best places to live[4] This comes as no surprise given the range of local amenities not to mention it offers an attractive alternative for house buyers in south-west London with homes priced 17% cheaper than the likes of Wimbledon nearby The Sterling Place development has continued to attract a significant number of buyers since its launch so we are expecting a high level of interest from buyers looking to make their second step on the property ladder.” Sterling Place comprises 456 apartments and replaces a former print works of Bradbury Wilkinson & Co a printing company that pioneered polymer banknotes and created postage stamps and currency for numerous countries around the world future residents will benefit from proximity to the residents’ gym and yoga studio as well as a Tesco supermarket just two minutes away Situated off Burlington Road in the borough of Merton where 100% of its population are within easy walking distance of amenities, such as a station[5] Sterling Place benefits from excellent connectivity The development has four bus routes on the doorstep and three railway stations within a 15-minute walk with services to London Waterloo in just 24 minutes the District and Northern lines can be accessed from nearby Wimbledon and South Wimbledon tube stations New Malden boasts a number of local restaurants with Korean cuisine including Jin Go Gae Restaurant and Chicks and Beers Other local cafés include The Place and Ember and Seed is less than four miles away and covers 2,500 hectares playgrounds and a Victorian woodland garden and has bars and restaurants lining the River Thames Prices for the Brookside Penthouses will start from £665,000. To find out more, visit www.barrattlondon.com or call 0330 057 6666 A concerned shopper witnessed a man repeatedly kick and aggressively handle a dog News | London Get our award-winning daily news email featuring exclusive stories I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice Police have launched an investigation after receiving reports about a man violently abusing a black labrador at a New Malden B&Q store A concerned shopper witnessed a man repeatedly kick and aggressively handle a dog wearing a turquoise/blue collar at Shannon Commercial Centre around 3:30pm on January 25th described seeing a "tall white male" repeatedly assault a black Labrador named Ted on January 25th at Shannon Commercial Centre "I saw a black lab with a turquoise/blue collar being kicked by his owner at least three times," the post said "One kick was actually more like stamp on the dog's back The witness also reported seeing the owner "violently tug on the dog's neck several times" A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: "Police received reports of a man acting violently towards a dog at a store in Shannon Commercial Centre “Anyone with any information is asked to call 101 quoting reference 8148/25JAN." described as having "short blond curly hair and a regional accent," and their young son Police are continuing their investigation and urge witnesses to come forward Prince Louis steals the show at VE Day parade as he keeps dad William looking sharp and mimics brother George Prince Louis steals show with sweet antics at VE parade VE Day 2025 fashion: best looks from the day VE Day 2025 fashion: Princess of Wales to Lady Victoria Starmer Royals watch historic flypast as huge crowds turns out for VE Day 80th anniversary  Royals watch historic Red Arrows flypast for VE Day 80th anniversary David Beckham’s 50th birthday bash in London 'shut down' by council over noise complaints David Beckham’s 50th birthday bash 'shut down' over noise complaints Stacey Solomon 'regrets doing reality show with Joe Swash' for tough reason Stacey Solomon 'regrets reality show with Joe Swash' for tough reason News & Views from Kingston and Surrounds Pets at Home New Malden opened their new Pet Care Centre on 29th November The 27,360-square-feet care centre is the single largest investment in Pets at Home’s history said: “This isn’t just a store – it’s a haven for pet lovers and their furry friends,   we’ve created a space that truly celebrates the joy of pet ownership” New services in the centre include a newly refurbished and extended veterinary practice with premium facilities such as a luxury Pets Grooming Salon with 50% more capacity.   It remains locally owned practice run by practice owner Michelle Akande “Being part of this community means a lot to us and we’re dedicated to supporting the pet owners of our local area we’re dedicated to delivering top quality pet care every day,” said Akande.   The newly refurbished health centre is led by a team of 24 vets and pet care advisors who offer free daily advice for pet management The team offer free weight checks and pet food consultation as well as fitting dog coats and harnesses and flea and worm subscriptions.  The grooming salon has been stocked with six new air-conditioned consultation rooms Kemel added: “Whether you’re here for your dog’s next adventure we’ve got everything you need to keep tails wagging The New Malden shop includes an interactive space combining reptiles A new Pet Zone features a children’s workshop for feeding demonstrations and talks in a small animal village and digital experiences with games and quizzes to promote responsible pet ownership.   At the front of the store is a new community zone featuring a recycling and charity donation area with a multipurpose ‘Paws Point’.   This new space is designated for new pet advice workshops and a waiting area for customers to charge their phone whilst their pets are in the grooming salon or vet practice.   Other additions to the New Malden centre include a dedicated Nutrition Hub stocked with a range of pet foods to diversify feeding choices.  a charity that helps pets and their owners the New Malden Pets at Home now has a pet adoption centre to support local animals.  The new Pet Care Centre is open Monday to Sunday and pet owners in New Malden can stay up to date with the latest news via the Pets at Home website You must be logged in to post a comment Email us!  RESIDENTS and businesses celebrated the annual switching on of the festive lights display in New Malden town centre marking the advent of Christmas celebrations across the community the event organised by the New Malden Partnership Group was followed by an after-party sponsored by Specsavers New Malden comprising members of the local council and business owners events and local projects hosted across the Borough who have been partners of Specsavers New Malden for just 18 months decided to collaborate with the organisers to sponsor the after-party Bhavisha said: ‘We love being part of the community and being members of the New Malden Partnership Group which aims to shape changes at a local level and enhance facilities and services across the town Winners of the 2024 Dame Mary Perkins Award for Outstanding Clinical Customer Care in England Specsavers New Malden is building up a reputation for delivering an exceptional standard of service To ensure your sight and hearing is in tip-top condition ahead of Christmas you can book in for a sight or hearing test by calling 020 8336 7620 you can book online at https://www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/newmalden Specsavers’ optometrists will assess your vision as well as check the overall health of your eyes so it’s important to have regular eye tests even if you aren’t experiencing any eye issues or symptoms As part of Specsavers’ mission to make eye health accessible to all Specsavers also offers a Home Visits service to those that can’t leave their homes unaccompanied due to disability or illness Specsavers Home Visits service covers more than 90% of the UK Residents in the Groves have received a flyer in the post detailing plans for a block comprising 25 homes The site in Coombe Road would be five storeys high which is taller than the dental practice and offices either side of it Buckinghamshire based Progress Planning says the core focus is on securing at least 20% of the mix for 3 bedroom family units is currently occupied by Toolstation which only set up there in 2021 Some residents have already voiced concerns following the recent erection of another tower block also in Coombe Road Flats at Castanea Court are still only partially sold and considered by some as unaffordable with prices ranging from £440,00 to over a million pounds To find out more about the plans, click here. A Toolstation spokesperson says: “We are aware of this initial planning proposal consultation being set in place for local residents to discuss redevelopment in the coming years We have no plans to move from this site and of course remain open and welcoming customers.” Toolstation has confirmed it leases the site Play gets underway at 11am at LSE Sports Ground Glamorgan won the toss and elected to bat on Day One A report will be published at the end of each day of play Get notified ahead of each game in the upcoming season so you never miss a ball at the Kia Oval Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value" Copyright © 2025 Surrey County Cricket Club Terms Privacy Policy Cookie Policy Contact Built By Blayney Centre of Excellence for Women’s Cricket Need more information about Hospitality packages at the Kia Oval Complete the form below and one of our Hospitality team will be in touch within 48 hours of your enquiry Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Complete the form below to request a call from our Membership team Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value" Three good causes received a welcome cash boost when community-conscious colleagues at Tesco stores in New Malden handed out grants worth £3000 Momentum Children’s charity received a cheque for £1,500 the grant will help supporting families whose children are going through cancer treatment and bereavement Another establishment to receive funding was Kingston Hospital charity It was awarded £1,500 to make special provision for children and young people with mental health concerns presenting at Kingston Hospital The third good cause to be awarded funds was Grand Avenue Primary and Nursery School for Wildlife Area which will be used to create a haven that will support native wildlife and provide both a learning space and a calm area for their children The funding came from Tesco’s Stronger Starts scheme in partnership with the Groundwork charity which supports many local area community projects and good causes Fundraising Manager at Kingston Hospital Charity said: “Thank you to Tesco New Malden and customers for choosing their charity and for raising £1,500 as the grant will go to arrange special provision for children and young people with Mental health concerns.” Customers can use the Stronger Starts scheme to support local groups by dropping the Tesco Community Token they receive at checkout into the relevant voting box as they leave the Store said: “Tesco is always ready to help local community groups who are interested in providing help to people by giving them donations arranging fundraising events and giving them the proper channel as to where they can apply if they want food collection on a regular basis.” Four fire engines and 25 firefighters battled the blaze on Friday morning The cause of a fire at a house in south-west London is under investigation A fire erupted in a terraced house on Muybridge Way in New Malden, before the London Fire Brigade rushed to the scene to battle the blaze Four fire engines and 25 firefighters were sent to the blaze It was first alerted to the fire at 10am on Friday The blaze engulfed part of the ground floor and first floor of the property a conservatory at the property has also been destroyed Surbiton and Kingston fire stations attended the scene however the London Fire Brigade has said it is now “under control” On a post to X, a spokesperson wrote: “The fire in #NewMalden is under control The cause of the incident is now under investigation.” Hampshire won the toss and elected to bowl How many members should have access to the subscription Pets at Home has announced the opening of its newly designed flagship Pet Care Centre in New Malden This £2.2m+ transformation marks the single largest investment in Pets at Home’s estate history The new 27,360 sq.ft site features an increased range of services (such as a newly refurbed and extended veterinary practice) and “premium” facilities (such as a luxury Pets Grooming Salon with 50% more capacity) It also includes a dedicated Nutrition Hub with an increased range of frozen and raw food options The hub also features increased fridge and freezer space a pick-and-mix treat bar stocked with natural products and a designated consultation area for help and advice across all life stages from puppy and kitten to senior The group has also introduced an expanded Health Centre for customers to manage their pets’ everyday healthcare needs including licensed medications and easy access to free pet weighing scales A team of highly trained pet care advisors will be on site to support with free advice free weight checks and pet food consultations as well as fitting services for dog coats and harnesses an expanded cat area will feature premium and own brand products typically only available online the New Malden store includes the largest live Pet Zone in the group’s estate a children’s workshop for feeding demonstrations and talks and digital experiences like games and quizzes to promote responsible pet ownership A pet adoption centre, a small animal pet village and pet food bank donation point has been set up in partnership with the Blue Cross to support local pets within the community A new community zone at the front of the store, featuring a designated recycling and charity donation area, along with a multifunctional ‘Paws Point.’ This space is designed for workshops, new pet advice, or simply relaxing and charging a phone while waiting for pets in the Pets Grooming Salon or Vet Practice Seven new tills have been installed to accommodate the shopper’s needs and digital and interactive screens to help educate customers with their pet choices the Pets Grooming Salon has expanded and now features six grooming tables and three baths meaning a 50% increase in capacity to accommodate the high demand in the area The newly refurbished vet practice has almost doubled in size and now features six spacious consultation rooms separate waiting areas and separate wards for cats a brand new separate dental suite which will include new dental radiography a dedicated nurse consultation room to provide more nurse clinics including laser therapy and a dedicated pharmacy Michelle Akande at Vets for Pets New Malden said: “We’re over the moon to announce the opening of our newly extended and refurbished veterinary practice in the new look Pet Care Centre; and can’t wait to continue the journey with our loyal clients and welcome new faces Being part of this community means a lot to us we’re dedicated to delivering top quality pet care every day.” Retail technology news and views for omnichannel retailers Pets at Home has unveiled its newly designed flagship Pet Care Centre in New Malden The £2.2 million+ transformation marks the single largest investment in the retailer’s estate history it features an increased range of services (such as a newly refurbed and extended veterinary practice) and premium facilities (such as a luxury Pets Grooming Salon with 50% more capacity) Pets at Home has made a £25 million investment in estate interventions this year The New Malden location includes a new community zone at the front of the store featuring a designated recycling and charity donation area or simply relaxing and charging a phone while waiting for pets in the Pets Grooming Salon or Vet Practice.  There are also seven new tills to accommodate shopper’s needs – the most in any Pets at Home and digital and interactive screens to help educate customers with their pet choices.  the Pets Grooming Salon has expanded and now features six spacious grooming tables and three baths to allow groomers to give pets a thorough examination before commencing with the groom.    says: “We’re incredibly excited to unveil the transformed Pet Care Centre right here in New Malden This isn’t just a store – it’s a haven for pet lovers and their furry friends we’ve created a space that truly celebrates the joy of pet ownership.” “What makes this transformation even more special is our incredible team some of whom have been part of this journey for over 20 years We can’t wait to welcome customers to explore and see how we’re raising the bar for pet care Whether you’re here for your dog’s next adventure Physical stores were a key focus area for the sixth edition of the RTIH Innovation Awards celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world said: “The event is now into its sixth year and what a journey it has been The awards started life as an online only affair during the Covid outbreak before launching as a small scale in real life event and growing year on year to the point where we’re now selling out this fine He added: “Congratulations to all of our finalists Many submissions did not make it through to the final stage We’ve got all the cool stuff covered this evening.” “But just importantly we’ve got lots of great examples of companies taking innovative tech and making it usable in everyday operations - resulting in more efficiency and profitability in all areas.” and all those who attended our 21st November gathering Sign up with your email address to receive the daily RTIH newsletter straight to your inbox We respect your privacy and will not pass your email address on to third parties we will occasionally send you promotional messages on behalf of our advertisers or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Paxton Media Ltd Don Hettiarachchi and his family lost everything when a converted e-bike fire destroyed their London home A Londoner whose home was destroyed in a converted e-bike fire has warned shoppers to take care when buying the products online this Black Friday Bus driver Don Hettiarachchi, 49, who lives in New Malden has only just moved back into the top half of his home after a devastating blaze back in September this year His son’s e-bike had been charging for five hours in the conservatory at the back of the house when it burst into flames destroying the property and forcing them to move into emergency council accommodation The London Fire Brigade also issued a warning, along with charity Electrical Safety First, that online Black Friday bargains could prove more costly than their price tags due to faulty batteries exploding. I initially thought it was some car alarms in the street outside,” Don said I went to have a look and found the whole of the bottom floor of my home filled with smoke “My son’s converted e-bike was charging inside the conservatory had caught fire and the kitchen was full of thick black smoke “Luckily the smoke alarms alerted us to get out of the house I woke my wife and son and we escaped outside Mr Hettiarachchi’s son had bought the e-bike second hand online two months earlier which had been charging for five hours in the conservatory before the blaze which destroyed all the family’s possessions “My wife is still suffering from shock at the moment We both went to the doctor and took a month off work due to the stress,” he said “We stayed in emergency accommodation that the council provided because our home was inhabitable My father-in-law was ill and due to being preoccupied with his illness I missed paying the house insurance renewal - we lost everything in the fire The White Company Black Friday sale is here Best washing machine deals for Cyber Monday 2024 from Bosch and more “For anyone thinking of buying a bargain this Black Friday my advice is to really do your homework before you buy “Make sure the e-bike battery and the charger are compatible with one another Make sure you buy from a reputable seller that you know and trust Mr Hettiarachchi’s warning came as new research jointly commissioned by Electrical Safety First and the London Fire Brigade found that e-bikes and e-scooters both appeared in the top 10 most sought-after products the capital’s residents are considering buying this Black Friday more than 1 in 10 (11%) of those surveyed also said an e-bike conversion kit was a purchase they were most considering this Black Friday “Buying from a reputable manufacturer or retailer has never been so vital when it comes to electrically powered bikes and conversion kits,” Lesley Rudd chief executive of Electrical Safety First said “These devices are useful purchases when they are compliant and safe and purchased from a reputable manufacturer charged incorrectly or conversion kits are installed poorly they present a risk of a ferocious fire in the event of a catastrophic battery failure “With Londoners looking to bag an e-bike bargain this Black Friday remember that safety starts with where you shop charger or conversion kit online could have serious consequences.” Fires caused by batteries in electrically powered bikes and scooters are one of London’s fastest growing fire trends with the London Fire Brigade being called out to an e-bike or e-scooter fire on average The Brigade’s Deputy Assistant Commissioner for Prevention and Protection Richard Field added: “We understand that people are trying to save money but if you spot a deal this week that looks too good to be true The Brigade said it was especially concerned with modified electric bikes and conversion kits that can catch fire if installed to a poor standard using sub-standard parts or charged incorrectly Conversion kits purchased online often come with a motor controls and wiring but it is common for them to lack a battery and a charger meaning shoppers will often need to purchase these items separately If an incompatible or sub-standard charger is used the battery risks overcharging and this increases the risk of the battery catching fire Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon We help you navigate a myriad of possibilities Sign up for our newsletter for the best of the city By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news Sign up for our email to enjoy London without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush) Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. London If you like the sound of crispy kimchi pancakes Korean fried chicken drizzled in honey-butter sauce or shaved ice topped with sweetened red bean paste you’ll never go hungry in New Malden When I first moved to the UK with my family in 2005 we were only a 15-minute drive away from this south-west London suburb It’s thought to have the largest Korean community in Europe having previously been home to the Korean Embassy in the 1970s and the offices of global electronics company Samsung in the early 2000s New Malden Village Ward is represented by a Korean councillor and has a whole host of Korean restaurants and hairdressers alongside high-street regulars Greggs King Charles visited the buzzy Cake & Bingsoo dessert parlour while locals understand a proper ‘noraebang’ (Korean-style karaoke) is on its way.  New Malden is synonymous with simpler times: swimming lessons in the Malden Centre going to the Korean supermarket to buy packets of Jolly Pong (a glazed puffed-wheat snack that tastes like Cheerios) and – my favourite – getting dinner at Genghis Khan the restaurant takes its name from the founder of the Mongol Empire who is well-known among Koreans – and Asians for that matter – for his lasting influence In recent years, there has been a boom in restaurants offering Korean staples across the UK, most notably Korean BBQ, bibimbap (rice bowl with meat and vegetables), tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) and corn dogs (just look at the queues at Bunsik in Leicester Square) But I’ve also always wondered why ‘Korean-ised’ Chinese dishes haven’t yet had their moment I would thoroughly recommend Kanghoon Bae’s Genghis Khan which is a 10-minute walk from New Malden train station Countless Koreans (myself included) have had casual lunches and family gatherings there It’s probably one of the most authentic places you can try deliciously inauthentic Korean food and one of the very few restaurants where Koreans can genuinely unleash their craving for ‘jajangmyeon’ Time Out popped into the kitchen of Genghis Khan to speak to Kanghoon Bae my father owned a Korean-Chinese restaurant in the port city of Busan which is the second-largest city in South Korea I naturally developed an interest in cooking my father had informally recruited me into his [restaurant’s] kitchen and when I was old enough for compulsory military service I attended culinary school for two years before landing my first chef job at a Korean-Chinese restaurant in a hotel in Seoul I learnt from some of the best during my five years there but I also felt as though I had hit a bit of a wall.  and slowly moved up the ranks to head chef the previous owners sold the restaurant to me and I’ve been chef-owner here ever since.  ‘We’ve been around for almost two decades now but our best-sellers haven’t changed: ‘jajangmyeon’ (noodles with pork in black bean sauce) ‘jjamppong’ (noodles in red hot seafood soup) and ‘tangsuyuk’ (deep fried pork in sweet and sour sauce) – the classic trio of dishes that represent Korean soul food The biggest compliment we get from the Korean locals is that our dishes taste better than what you can normally get in Korea.  ‘I’m especially proud of our ‘jajangmyeon’ because it’s based on the techniques I learnt while cooking with Hwagyo Typical Korean-Chinese restaurants in Korea tend to pour meat stock to liquify the black bean sauce but I’ve always been taught to use sliced onions to create a natural moisture in the mixture We also make our noodles from scratch every morning and that makes all the difference.   I’ve found that Korean-Chinese cuisine isn’t particularly suited to traditional recipes because you have to cook things over fire and it’s all about the sauces You need what Koreans call son-mat (translated literally as ‘hand-taste’) – that natural ability to make something taste delicious and comforting I guess it’s a bit like cooking a good steak – it really depends on who is searing it.  the hospitality industry has faced lots of challenges due to staff shortages and when you work in quite a niche cuisine there are only three Korean-Chinese restaurants in all of New Malden – Genghis Khan and one in Seoul Plaza supermarket – and even fewer across central London which means the hiring pool for chefs is already very small While it’s not easy to train UK-based chefs who have never even tried the food they are cooking it’s equally hard to recruit chefs directly from Korea people can get lonely when settling into a new country.  It’s getting more competitive for all of us but that must also be a good sign that we’re becoming a bit of a dining destination.   ‘I don’t think I would be here without Genghis Khan It’s the restaurant that enabled me to get married It still surprises me that I’ve been able to reap so much success from it because you’re never guaranteed that when you open a restaurant regardless of the amount of effort you put into it and I’m never going to let myself forget that.’  Feeling peckish? Here are 20 of the best Korean restaurants in London ICYMI: The Peckham restaurant that’s been keeping Little Lagos fed for 30 years Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! tiktokfacebooktwitteryoutubeAbout us Contact us Station Lodge by architect Andrei Saltykov in South West London offers a radical subversion to regional residential architecture Station Lodge peeks out between New Malden's typical period homes, inviting visitors to the architecturally unexpected. This new home, designed by architect Andrei Saltykov in South West London is certainly unusual - and offers a radical subversion to residential architecture of its region the project is now a family home with inbuilt future-proofing - a 'vague initial aspiration' the architect explains to be potentially split into two homes for the owners' children the new house should provide a comfortable and equitable private space for the couple's two teenagers as well as room for the family's extensive art and book collection the architect writes: 'The site is a triangle bound on two sides by typical suburban terraces (with a right of way to an adjacent substation) and the third by the Motspur Park train station platform.' flowing triple height living space is the heart of the home It is punctuated by a bright red metal staircase which becomes a key spatial feature which also serves as the main circulation route leading to the bedroom 'block' upstairs The bedrooms are aligned to the station and to protect users from noise and protect their privacy the volume is made of heavy blockwork and oblique windows The interiors follow the overall composition's unusual geometry grey roof which becomes the home's defining laceysaltykov.com willpryce.com Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox. Ellie Stathaki is the Architecture & Environment Director at Wallpaper* She trained as an architect at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece and studied architectural history at the Bartlett in London she has been a member of the Wallpaper* team since 2006 visiting buildings across the globe and interviewing leading architects such as Tadao Ando and Rem Koolhaas Ellie has also taken part in judging panels such as The Contemporary House (Thames & Hudson Glenn Sestig Architecture Diary (2020) and House London (2022) to spotlight Diabetes Week (10th – 16th June) the store partners at Specsavers New Malden launched a fund-raising campaign to raise awareness around the issues of diabetes and the importance of caring for your eyes This year’s focus for Diabetes UK was to highlight the day-to-day way in which people with the condition cope and to talk about the health checks required to spot the condition customers and the New Malden community were encouraged to donate in-store throughout June A JustGiving page was also set up to spread the word about this initiative commented: ‘We are very passionate about providing the best clinical care to our community Those with diabetes can be at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy which if left undiagnosed and untreated can lead to vision loss three of my grandparents had and one currently has diabetes my grandfather was severely ill at one point hence me being so supportive of raising awareness around this condition which is very dear to my heart.’ Specsavers provides advice around managing the condition a visit to your local optometrist could include diagnostic tests such as a visual acuity test a dilated eye examination which can help spot diabetic changes inside the eye digital retinal photography and an OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) examination eye-scanning equipment and helps detect serious eye conditions including glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy up to four years earlier than traditional methods and is currently on offer at the reduced price of just £5 Retail director Karina Peshawaria said: ‘Many of us know someone with this condition and both Bhavisha and I felt that this year we wanted to focus on raising awareness around the condition and how to manage it we set up our fundraising JustGiving page and encouraged in-store donations throughout June There is still a low level of awareness around how important it is to have a sight test so we are hoping that our campaign will have helped inform our local community ‘Specsavers New Malden doubled the amount of money raised by our staff and customers so we are delighted to have raised £184 for Diabetes UK.’ To meet the store partners and discuss your eyesight or hearing you can call the team at Specsavers New Malden on 020 8336 7620 or book an appointment online at https://www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/newmalden You need to be over the age of 16 to view this content If you’re not over 16, click here to visit the homepage to keep watching Essex-TV programmes Surrey’s squad is: Josh Blake (C) (WK) THE All Nations Football Tournament held its charity tournament following a break of five years the football event unites people from many backgrounds and cultures Founded by the three Mahon brothers who have played football since very young their passion for the game combines with a desire to raise awareness around mental health after they lost a close friend in tragic circumstances in 2016 To make the Tournament possible the event relies on sponsorship from local businesses approached Specsavers New Malden store partners Bhavisha Patel Karina and Bhavisha were delighted to support the event, agreeing to sponsor hire of three Astroturf pitches plus the Tournament Trophies which included the Winner’s Trophy Every year the organisers of the tournament select a charity to support setting up a JustGiving fund raising page and asking for donations from local businesses and setting up a catering stall on the event day to raise extra funds Beder was selected as the tournament charity Beder is a charity raising awareness around mental health and suicide prevention through a range of exciting events and initiatives across education a leading mental health charity and the Samaritans an established organisation who focus on reducing suicide and offering support to those in need Commenting on the generous donation from the store directors Karl said: ‘We are so grateful for the support we received from Specsavers in New Malden This helped us achieve our mission statement to raise money and awareness for mental health and anti-racism through the love of football ‘Almost 10 years ago we lost a dear friend who struggled with his own mental health and sadly took his own life we have been tenaciously working hard to promote mental health and anti-racism at football tournaments and on social media ‘Specsavers New Malden has helped us return this year to hold the tournament and raise money for the charity Commenting about their support of the event Karina said: ‘It’s a wonderful opportunity to unite everyone and bring them together to celebrate sport This is something that both Bhavisha and I are very passionate about ‘We’re delighted that the tournament could take place this year after a break and also support such a worthy charity this will help raise awareness around mental health issues.’ The 2024 All Nations Football Tournament involved 18 teams who were ranked by points and goals scored with the top 16 then being selected to go through to knockout rounds with the top four teams going onto the semi-finals The final match was won by the R2J FC against IFC with a 4-2 win Top Goal Scorer Kurt Herbert and goalkeeper Ryan Reeves were delighted to receive their trophy’s while the winning team R2J celebrated their tournament victory in style If you would like to meet the store partners and discuss your eyesight or hearing not to mention hugely entertaining for the lunching Korean grandmothers watching me try to eat aubergine with metal chopsticks New Malden: ‘An umami-drenched patch of extreme deliciousness’ – restaurant reviewThis article is more than 1 year oldThe whole thing is perfect has one of the highest concentrations of good eating in the entire UK Tolworth and many other semi-anonymous suburbs that never trouble the Places To Eat Before You Die foodie bucket lists and hungry South Korean and Chinese-Korean tourists there are upwards of 20 more-than-decent Korean restaurants in New Malden noodles and hotpots; there are also a load of supermarkets where you can stock up on gochugaru and soju plus cafes selling sweet treats such as patbingsu a shaved ice dessert topped with sweet stewed adzuki beans that is one of the most delicious things on earth and the sugary hit of the burgundy-coloured sauce surrounding them The ‘deftly seasoned’ saewoo mandu (prawn dumplings) at Cah Chi New Malden.If you’re not hugely familiar with Korean food consider patbingsu and the spring onion and/or seafood pancake pajeon as your gateway drugs I had been tipped off that they served a very good pajeon at Cah Chi on the Kingston Road a family-run spot that has changed venues a few times over the years and opened here only a month or so ago but has retained a loyal fanbase for its simple yet delicious taste of home half-expecting to be one of the only customers due in no small part to Cah Chi’s warm welcome and to the fact that a round of steamed saewoo mandu (seafood dumplings) comes with some of the most glorious fresh banchan (small plates): a dainty pile of lush A gorgeous side of half a fried aubergine arrives with a sticky glaze and hugely entertaining for the lunching Korean grandmothers watching me try to eat its slippery innards with stainless-steel chopsticks I make up for in hapless enthusiasm to transfer my deftly seasoned soft-skinned mandu one by one into my mouth without spilling their bounteous filling down my front Cah Chi’s beef bulgogi ‘is sweet ever so slightly spicy and makes you wish you’d ordered more’.Cah Chi is one of those cheap and cheerful but decidedly good places that’s nothing to look at from the outside though it’s decorated much more nicely than many hotels I’ve stayed in who love their community of older customers and seem to know them all by name They’re also incredibly kind to women from Carlisle and help me no end with my struggles to grill the beef bulgogi bringing more fresh lettuce leaves to wrap it in as well as extra helpings of their moreish soybean dipping paste I wasn’t much in the mood for anything sweet but was ever so politely pushed by the lovely waitress into a small scoop of green tea ice-cream topped with a large blob of red-bean paste New Malden is an umami-drenched patch of extreme deliciousness that’s only 20 minutes from Waterloo by train; sure but it is an eating destination in its own right There are several theories as to how it became so very Korean: some say it’s because the Korean ambassador used to live here others that it’s because of the relatively affordable house prices (well It can’t be because of the splendour of the train station which feels older than time itself and is hidden behind a moody tower block the dining options can be quite incredible Cah Chi isn’t trying to change the world; it’s just quietly representing skilful Korean cooking and creating a haven for hungry passers-by Cah Chi 79-81 Kingston Road An earlier version said that New Malden is a London borough as well as that its Korean population numbered only 800