I want a website, not a blog

I’m using the Sliding Doors template and I want it to display as a website, not a blog. However although I have selected “A static page” on Admin – Settings – Reading, I still get a posting box, info on posts in the left-hand column and “Categories” in the right-hand column. I’ve also received posts to the site. Can anyone help me find out how to get rid of all this stuff so it’s just a website?

I did manage to do it before, so I know it’s possible, but somehow I then lost the whole website.