The Caterham & District Independent Podcast

Episode 15: Louise D'Costa chats with Zoe from ZAP PILATES

Recorded in November 2020 - Louise talks to Zoe McCready. Zoe was originally a professional dancer and took up pilates after a bad back injury.  Pilates has changed her life and is now passionate about helping others experience the same benefits she has. Her studio is based on Caterham on the hill.

Before Christmas some of The Caterham and District Independent team and I met with David and Victoria from Perryley Craft Gin.  Perryley Craft Gin are based in Old Coulsdon and pride themselves on supporting small businesses which we all know has been extremely important over the past year.

The team spent the evening there and sat under a gazebo outside their local distillery.  We learnt lots about gin while they served us their six unique flavoured gins. Elderflower, Rose, Violet, Rhubarb, Lavender and Winter Spiced were all tried along with a range of garnishes, tonic water, lemonade and an array of nibbles, their signature metal straws and that must have ingredient to accompany gin…ice!

It was a fun evening and one we would like to share with our listeners!

Louise D’Costa and Rosalind Brookman (one of our reporters for The Caterham and district independent ) went to visit the winner of our ‘Festive Writing Competition’ last month. We were extremely impressed with Akash’s entry and we met him at his school to present him with his certificate and prizes.

Akash is just 8 years old and we really enjoyed reading his story.

One of his prizes was to record his own podcast recording of his festive story. We hope you enjoy listening to it as much as we have and please look out for his story in print  in the January issue of the paper.

A few weeks ago I was very excited to meet with Joe Morutzi who is the founder of the delicious and innovative brand ‘Pleesecakes’.‘Pleesecakes’ are based in neighbouring Redhill and the business was founded in 2017.

Joes passion for making cheesecakes gave him the idea for the business and the past few years have seen the brand develop, expand and grow with his cheesecakes now being supplied to Selfridges and his recipe book having recently being released.

I spoke to him about his journey to where he is today including his adventure in the ‘Dragons Den’.

I am also very excited to announce that Joe has exclusively donated one of his fabulous ‘Christmas Pudding’ cheesecakes to us for one of our lucky subscribers. All you have to do is subscribe to our podcast library but also follow our insta page @caterhamindependent by Wednesday 23rd December!

Good Luck!

Last month I met with Renee Canter aka The Girl who Gardens. We went for a walk in Chaldon and Renee shared her gardening expertise with me. She has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the outdoors and  and I hope that you enjoy listening to our podcast interview as much as I enjoyed speaking to her.

Appreciating our gardens is something many of us will have learnt to do this year and whether you’d like your garden to be a place where  you can relax with the family and friends, add emotional and financial value to your home, realise the potential of your garden or simply make your garden manageable Renee can help.

Last week Louise D'Costa met with Dan and James from the 'Oakhall Community Church'. We  chatted to them about the church, it's history, it's prayer services, opportunities and ways in which the community can be involved and of course Christmas! It was incredibly moving to listen to the boys passion for the church  and what it has to offer.

www.caterhamindependent.com

Louise D'Costa recently interviewed Laura Hamilton who lives in nearby Purley. Laura has presents ‘A Place in the Sun’ and cane second in ‘Dancing on Ice’ in recent years. She also owns the ‘Lord Roberts on the Green’ coffee shop which she bought and renovated in 2017 and we had a chat about her career to date, the coffee shop and the local community and what it means to her..

www.caterhamindependent.com

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!

www.caterhamindependent.com

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.