Louise D’Costa met with the Senior Management Team and Head Chef at Rokewood Court Luxury Care Home. Rokewood Court Care Home is located in Kenley and recently opened. It is a home from home offering 5* care to its’ residents and catering for each and every one of their needs.

Located in a leafy residential road Rokewood Court Care Home offers outstanding residential, respite and bespoke dementia care in a luxurious environment.

Surrounded by gently rolling hills and beautiful open green spaces, Kenley is a hidden gem on the outskirts of London. Kenley Common covers 139 acres of grassland and ancient woodland, yet the centre of London is only 14 miles to the north. It benefits from excellent transport links and easy access to the M25, Croydon, Surrey and London.

Last week we spoke to Tandridge Council about the support available for small businesses and residents during the second lockdown.

We also had a a chat about Christmas and their proposed plans.

Quince House Cookery School is owned and run by Katharine Eldridge.

The Quince House Cookery School in Limpsfield is owned and run by Katharine Eldridge. Katharine opened the school in 2008 once her children were old enough for her to focus on her passion and love for cooking. The school is  located in her house and overlooks the beautiful, breathtaking South Downs.

She offers  both class demonstrations and one to one bespoke classes from her kitchen. We were very lucky to be able to join Katharine for her a morning of Festive Cooking which included gingerbread and Yule Log making!

We met with Katie from ‘Bake me a Smile’ who works from her kitchen in Kenley.

Earlier this year along with many others Katie was made redundant from her job in HR in the city.  Her passion for baking resulted in her launching ‘Bake Me a Smile’ in August. Katie wanted to be able to provide the community with her talent, creativity and unique cookies and brownies.

‘Bake Me a Smile’  deliver orders locally but Katie also posts them across the country however her concern is maintaining their freshness and taste and so she ensures that each brownie and cookie is is heat sealed in air tight packaging therefore preserving its flavour and texture. They are placed in boxes which are beautifully layered in tissue paper and upon request a personalised card can also be added to each order for the recipient to receive.

Listen to Katie talk about how to place an order, her unique and innovative ideas for her cookies and brownies and how to get your hands on them over Christmas Festive season whether they be for family, friends or client gifting.

Katie recently received her 5 Star Hygiene Rating. Well done Katie!

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We recently met with Sally who owns and manages ‘The Lost Sheep’ which is an exclusive gift shop located at  221 Croydon Road, Caterham.

When stepping into the shop the warm and friendly environment immediately welcomes you. Her shop is filled with unique, bespoke and innovate products as well as traditional items. Ranging from limited edition beautifully painted furniture,  gorgeous silk flowers, quirky handpicked cards and an extensive jellycat range through to gorgeous shawls, scarves and wraps in an array of colours candles representing the aroma of a county and a lot more, there is a Christmas gift for everyone!

Sallys plan is to open her Tea Shop in the Spring of 2021. Listen more to find out more about the what The Lost Sheep has to offer and also how to book onto her exclusive Christmas shopping evenings. There is a Christmas gift for everyone.

The Aycorn Shoppe, 6 The Parade. Old Coulsdon opened last month and is an exclusive new landscape shop with a twist. The shop offers unique and bespoke advice on garden design as well as innovative garden products which can be purchased on site or pre ordered.  If you need somewhere to work and fancy a coffee and croissant , reserve a table and drop by.

Also featured in the shop is their wine bar where you can book a table and sample an array of South African wines while sampling their  delicious platters and boards generously covered with an array of snacks.

The Caterham Independent met with the team prior to the shops launch last month and chatted with Jamie and Dyllan about how their  idea emerged during lockdown, aspirations for the future, fulfilling their dream, showcasing their incredible talent and what they are able to offer the local community!

The Caterham & District Independent Podcast Trailer - presented by Louise D'Costa.

Madeline Castrey was born in Surrey and raised in Chaldon. She performed in the West End at just 7 years old and shortly after landed the role of the Young Cosette and Young Eponine in Les Miserables. Her credits in Musical Theatre also include performing in Evita, and the Young Nala in The Lion King. Recent years have seen her perform jazz and opera in operas such as La Traviata and Cost Fan Tutte.

At just 23 years old she is due to complete her PHD in Music soon has recently written and released a few of her own songs.

Produced by The House of Horla.