Apr2016 by jane fry

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AFFINITY LUXURY LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

FREE www.affinitymag.co.uk

April 2016

APRIL 2016 ISSUE 59

Social Media Casualty Is your marriage one?

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

is chitting into MK Theatre

Coastal Chic Bring the outside in

The French Riviera

Movie icons and tyres

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Welcome... Hi Everyone We love to travel and bring you exciting new ideas and innovations and this month is no exception, we paid a visit to Monaco and Cannes to find out all about a new ‘Tyre” intrigued turn to page 62 to find out more.

Spring has officially sprung and with that comes longer evenings and sunshine (we hope), which also means we need to start putting our winter wardrobe away and start bringing in some more spring fashion – That’s where we come in - with a selection of some of our favourite looks for spring turn to page 31.

Only a month to go until our Charity Champagne Afternoon Tea and only a handful of tickets left, get in touch if you want to join us.

The nicer weather always makes us look at ourselves more – page 22 tells you about some of the basic foods that will give you a glowing complexion and page 14 brings you a round up of some of our favourite facial moisturisers on the market.

Until Next Month

Jane x

We have a fabulous competition for you to win your own exclusive table for 6 people at this year’s Bedford Park Proms (page 71) and page 60 has us catching up with Humphrey Berney (one third of the classic Brit award winning group Blake) who will be performing at this year’s Proms.

Cover Image: River Island

Editor: Jane Fry jane@affinitymag.co.uk 01234 962106 - 07507 602401 Advertising: Gwen D’Souza affinitymaggwen@gmail.com 07506 770554 Graphic Design and Photography: David Zita dave@affinitymag.co.uk www.affinitymag.co.uk facebook.com/AffinityMag @affinitymagz

linkedin.com/pub/jane-zita-fry

All adverts are printed in good faith. Affinity cannot take responsibility for the content of adverts. Advertisements are accepted on the understanding that descriptions of goods and services are accurate. Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly prohibited.Printed in the UK by Regal Litho 01908 270400.

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CONTENTS

13 Life in Miniature 16 Social Media Casualty 20 Nail Neutral

27 Hot Picks 28 Learning to Mind 35 Star Performer

42 Foodie News 44 Chicken and Chorizo 52 Coastal Chic

58 64 66 72 74

Fryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Footie Manly Scents Heritage Travel Your Stars Quiet Night in

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What does your kitchen mean to you

Ltd Very affordable true HANDLELESS GERMAN kitchens now in store

Forget the sales hype just give us a try, you WILL be pleasantly surprised

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Oakley House Doll’s House on Display at Woburn Abbey N

ew for 2016, visitors to Woburn Abbey can now peek behind the curtains of a wonderful, historic doll’s house. Beautifully furnished and skilfully made by members of the Russell family at the beginning of the 20th century. It is a replica in miniature of Oakley House which is situated just outside Bedford and was owned by the 4th Duke of Bedford. Created in the 1920’s, it is one of the largest doll’s houses of this era in the UK. It is very fitting to have this particular doll’s house on display at Woburn Abbey as its history ties back to the family. The dolls’ house was created by Leo and Phyllis Russell, the two youngest children of the Baron of Ampthill, who were aged 13 and 10 and lived in Oakley House at the time. The current owner of the doll’s house, Mrs Georgiana Fiddian-Green, visited Woburn Abbey to assist with installing the furniture ready for it to go on display to the public. She commented; “Aunt Phyllis would have been over the moon to have it on display at Woburn Abbey, it feels that it has come home and is back where it belongs.” Georgiana remembers some of the furniture from her childhood, when she visited her grandmother at Oakley House and still owns some of the pieces of the original furniture herself. The doll’s house is a true model of Oakley House, which was purchased by John Russell, 4th Duke of Bedford around 1750, and completely rebuilt by his grandson to designs by architect Henry Holland. The original idea for the doll’s house was Phyllis’s, she got her brother Leo interested and finally, Lady Ampthill approved the scheme, with the proviso that all the measurements must be correct and that once begun, it must be completed. After the external parts of the doll’s house had been created by a local carpenter, the children spent their free time and holidays creating the furniture. Phyllis’s intricate and skilful needlecraft is one of the features that stands out, as she embroidered the carpets and some of the soft furnishings in true likeness, including the delicate patterns and colours. Woburn Abbey is open daily from 11.00am until 5.00pm, with the Gardens open daily from 10.00am until 6.00pm. www.woburnabbey.co.uk

Boost your

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Moisture A good moisturiser is hard to find, which is why we've done the hard work for you and brought you a round up of our favourites

Green People Sensitive Scent Free Light Day Moisturiser £16.50

Rose Deep Hydration Face Cream £34 Harrods

Clarins Multi -Active Day Cream £42

L'Occitane Divine Cream SPF 20 £74, uk.loccitane.com

LYNETTE PAGE Nourishing Moisture Cream £76, lynettepage.com Hylamide HA Blur Cream £18 Jan Marini Transformation Cream £59, dermacaredirect.co.uk Argan Liquid Gold Rejuvenating Day Cream £125 arganliquidgold.co.uk

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Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be a Social Media Marriage Casualty

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here’s not many of us that don’t have some kind of social media account, in fact most of us have at least 3 different ones and that could be the problem!

and posting inappropriate photos. One in twenty complained that their partner didn’t post any pictures of them together which made them upset.

A survey carried out amongst 2,000 married people found that a whopping one in seven of them had contemplated divorce because of their other halves activities on Facebook, Skype, Snapchat, Twitter or What’sApp. And a quarter of the 2,000 said they had at least one argument a week with their partner because of social media use and 17 per cent said they rowed every day because of it.

One in ten admitted they hid images and posts from their partner, while eight per cent admitted to having secret social media accounts. A fifth of respondents said they felt uneasy about their relationship after discovering something on their partner’s Facebook. 43 per cent said they confronted their spouse immediately about this, but 40 per cent said it took them some time before they felt comfortable to raise it with their partner.

The most common reasons for checking their partner’s social media accounts was to find out who their partner was talking to, to keep tabs on them, to check who they were out with and find out if they were telling the truth about their social life.

While a third said they kept their social media log-in details a secret from their partners, 58 per cent said they knew their partner’s log-in details, even if their spouse wasn’t aware they knew them.

Whilst 14 per cent actually admitted they looked specifically to identify evidence of infidelity.

Andrew Newbury continued “Social media can also make a divorce more difficult. Divorce is already a stressful time for everyone involved and what is being posted on Facebook can antagonise families and make a speedy resolution more difficult to achieve.”

The research was commissioned by family law specialists Slater and Gordon who have seen an increase in the number of people citing social media use as a cause of divorce year on year. Andrew Newbury, head of family law at Slater and Gordon said:

Marriage is about trust and social media sometimes puts an added strain on the whole trust issue, to avoid unessesary problems in your marriage follow these Top Five Tips:

“Social media can be a wonderful way of keeping in touch with family and friends, but it can also put added strain on a relationship. Five years ago Facebook was rarely mentioned in the context of a marriage ending, but now it has become common place for clients to cite social media use, or something they discovered on social media, as a reason for divorce.

1. Don’t post in anger. Your post will be seen by all your friends, family and potentially millions of others. Even if you later delete your post, the damage will have been done.

With more than 556 million people using Facebook each day, the way we live our lives, and our marriages, has drastically changed. We are finding that social media is the new marriage minefield. Social media, specifically pictures and posts on Facebook, are now being routinely raised in the course of divorce proceedings.”

2. Be respectful. Don’t complain about your partner or other family members online. 3. Be transparent. Check with your partner before you post images or information. 4. Check your privacy settings. You might think someone can’t see a post when they actually can.

It wasn’t just what their partner was doing on social media but also how long they spent on it, that was likely to cause marital problems, with Facebook usage topping the list of reasons couples argued over social media.

5. Take a break and enjoy the moment. You don’t need to post everything on Facebook Finally,. before messaging, ask yourself, is this something I wouldn’t mind my spouse seeing? If the answer isn’t a resounding YES then the answer is simple - DON’T do it!

Arguments were also caused because of contact with an ex-partner, sending secret messages 17

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Great Shape Eyebrows

JO LOVES

The new jane iredale GreatShape Eyebrow Kit priced at £26, includes a dual-ended applicator, transparent botanical brow wax and a pigmented brow powder. The transparent brow wax provides the base for the powder and holds hairs in place for long-lasting definition. The water-resistant powder provides a soft and natural appearance, whilst the rich wax formulation leaves brows looking lustrous without any sticky residue. The kit is packaged in a travel-size, rose gold slim compact.

Just in time for summer, JO LOVES has announced the launch of its M a n d r i n e cologne (£110). Described as a bright and sophisticated summer cologne, the scent is formulated with bergamot oil, bitter orange, lemon tree leaf, petitgrain, parsley seeds, thyme, star anise, ambroxan and benzoin. Available exclusively at JO LOVES, London.

BEAUTY UPDATES

Triple Touch Compact

This new Triple Touch Compact from SENSAI is a concealer trio designed for flawless, hydrating coverage. The colourless concealer visibly smooths fine lines and pores whilst the cream concealer with SPF15 effectively camouflages dark circles and discolourations. The compact also provides a silkysoft finishing powder with SPf10 for a lasting, comfortable veil. Priced at £40 from Harrods and available in light, medium and dark make it a makeup bag must have..

Lips Fit for a Queen

Lipstick Queen have just launched the new Eden Lipstick. Inspired by the Garden of Eden, the shade is described as an apple red with a subtle holographic shimmer and has a glossy finish. The lipstick is formulated with sunflower seed, meadow foam seed, olive oil, mango seed, beeswax and shea butter for moisturisation and nourishment, whilst a high dose of antioxidant vitamin E adds protective properties to the formula. Available from SpaceNK for £22.

Luxury Traveller

Beautifulworld have added the Yarok Feed Your Style Dry Shampoo (£16.45) to its product portfolio. Natural and organic, the dry shampoo can be used to help style hair in between washes and to create an undone look. The organic starch and organic arrowroot tapioca powder absorb excess oils in the hair, while organic aloe vera leaf powder and French green clay powder heal, restore, de-frizz, detoxify and revive the volume of your hair, from scalp to ends. It also refreshes your hair and scalp with a wholesome infusion of vitamins and minerals. 18

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Nail Neutral Whatever the occasion Nude Nails will always give you a timeless sophistication

OPI Nail Polish Samoan Sand £12.50

YSL Nail Lacquer Beige Leger £19 John Lewis

Butter LONDON Yummy Mummy £12

Christian Louboutin The Nudes Nail Polish£36 Selfridges

CHANEL Nail Colour Secret £17.50 John Lewis

Bourjois Nail Polish Gris Clair £5.99 Boots

Essie Sand Tropez Polish £7.99 Boots

TOM FORD Nail Lacquer Toasted Sugar £27 John Lewis

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Veda Therapeutics Carolyn wood Herbal Medicine - Ayuverda Naturopathy - Therapeutic Massage - Ear Acupuncture

Herbalist (Dip Herb) Naturopath (Dip ND) MAMH, MANP, ITEC

As a herbalist and naturopath I can help you with

• Immunity • Skin Conditions • Digestive Complaints • Hormonal imbalances • Heart health & Circulation • Energy & Wellbeing • Insomnia • Depression • Other chronic health conditions • Acute coughs & colds

07944 886502 carolyn612@btinternet.com www.vedatherapeutics.co.uk

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Beautiful Skin Starts on Your Plate:

8 Superfoods for a Glowing Complexion

any people don’t make a link between the foods they eat and their skin. But like any other part of the body, our skin is kept healthy by the food and nutrients that we consume. So while a poor diet can quickly lead to sallow or dry skin, blemishes or acne, a healthy diet based on whole foods, including a variety of vegetables and fruit, nuts and seeds, beans, eggs, fish and whole grains is an excellent basis for glowing, youthful

skin. The following foods are particularly good sources of helpful nutrients and great skin boosters;

Keep it Orange Vegetables such as carrots, squash, pumpkin and sweet potatoes contain particularly high levels of beta carotene and other carotenoids, which give them their lovely orange colour. ‘Beta carotene’ converts to vitamin A in our

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body, which is one of the most important nutrients for skin integrity (meaning skin that is firm, resists damage and can heal quickly). Beta carotene itself may also help to prevent free radical damage to our cells that can result in ageing, as it works as an antioxidant. The orange vegetables are delicious as a basis for stews and soups in the winter, or roasted with other vegetables such as peppers, red onions and beetroot.

of the most important minerals for maintaining healthy, happy skin. It is thought that as much as 20% of the body’s zinc is stored in the skin, and it has a major role in growth and healing. Deficiency in this mineral is linked with acne, dry skin, dermatitis and poor wound healing. Pumpkin seeds, like avocadoes, nuts and other seeds, also contain the omega-6 fat linoleic acid. Other seeds and nuts are also good sources of zinc, as well as biotin, a vitamin that is known to contribute to healthy skin and hair.

Beautiful Berries Berries such as blueberries, raspberries and blackcurrants are excellent sources of vitamin C. This vitamin is vital for the formation of collagen, which gives our skin structure and elasticity. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant, protecting our cells from damage; and berries also contain many other plant nutrients that may work as antioxidants in the body, such as the quercetin, catechins, and resveratrol. Another advantage of berries over most other fruits is that they are lower in sugar (a diet high in sugary foods can speed up skin ageing). Berries are great added to plain yoghurt, with some chopped nuts – an ideal snack or breakfast option. You can also try taking a supplement packed with antioxidants and resveratrol, such as Nature’s Plus AgeLoss Skin Support (www.revital.co.uk, £34.25).

Green Juice Boost Juices made with lots of fresh green vegetables are concentrated sources of nutrients, including many that can be beneficial to our skin. They contain minerals like calcium, magnesium and alkaloids, which help to alkalise the body, preventing it from becoming too acidic. Our body generally keeps a fairly stable acid-alkaline balance, but a slight over-acidity may be linked to skin eruptions or problems like eczema. Green juices are also rich in vitamin C, beta carotene and other antioxidants including chlorophyll, the substance that produces the green pigment in plants. If you do not own a juicer, then just eat lots of green vegetables! Want to get a green veg boost for your super-smoothie? Try Nature’s Plus Green Lightning (www.revital.co.uk, £26.40). This greens-based nutritional powder that includes chlorella, spirulina, wheatgrass and Pacific kelp to purify your skin.

Oily Fish for Hydration Oily fish (sardines, mackerel, salmon, trout and so on) contain lots of omega-3 fatty acids. It has been found that omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids play an essential role in skin structure and appearance: they are incorporated into cell membranes in the epidermis (the outermost layer of cells in the skin) and help to maintain the skin’s barrier function and prevent moisture loss. They are also thought to have a role in the dermis (the lower layer of skin) by controlling inflammation and minimising collagen damage from UV rays. Not a fish fan? Try taking a good fish oil supplement such as Quest Vitamins’ Omega 3 (www.revital.co.uk, £8.78).

Oaty Goodness Oats are a particularly rich source of biotin, a vitamin that is well-known for its role in the health of our skin and hair. Oats are also high in gentle fibre, which helps to maintain a healthy digestive tract and bowel function. Healthy digestion is vital for our skin for two main reasons. Firstly, we need to digest foods properly for all those skin-loving nutrients to get into our body; and secondly, if we are not eliminating waste properly then excess toxins can circulate in the blood and may come out through the skin, in the sweat and sebum. The result may be skin rashes and other skin problems.

A* Skin with Avocado Avocado is a good source of vitamin E, which is thought to have several roles in skin health. Like vitamin C, it works as an antioxidant so may protect the skin cells against damage from free radicals. It is also thought to help protect the skin from UV rays, and have antiinflammatory activity in the skin (inflammation is involved in skin rashes, blemishes and acne). Although avocado is relatively high in fat, the majority of this is healthy monounsaturated fat like that found in olive oil, and the omega-6 fatty acid linoleic acid. As we have already seen, omega-6 fats are helpful for preventing moisture loss from the skin; and monounsaturated fats may also have this benefit. On top of this, avocadoes also contain good levels of carotenoids, those same antioxidants that are found in the orange vegetables.’ Explains Dr Marilyn Glenville, the UK’s leading Nutritionist (www.marilyglenville.com) and author of The Natural Health Bible for Women. Pumpkin Seeds for Problem Skin These nutritional gems are excellent sources of zinc, one

Cabbage Patch Doll Cruciferous vegetables are the ‘cabbage-family’ vegetables including broccoli, cauliflower, kale, red and green cabbage, chard, watercress and Brussel sprouts. They contain lots of sulphur compounds, which can support detoxification in the liver (adequate liver detoxification is just as important as healthy bowel for getting rid of toxins). They may also be supportive for hormone balancing, especially in women, because they contain a substance called indole-3-carbinol that has been found to balance oestrogen levels. Therefore, if you are a woman who is prone to skin breakouts around your period, you may find it helpful to eat one to two portions a day of these vegetables – but make sure you vary your choice so you don’t get bored. But if you are a man, don’t think they won’t help you, cruciferous vegetables are highly nutritious and good for all of us! 23

www.nutricentre.com

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Midlife Madness How on Earth Would I Know That?

enjoyed a day of ‘working remotely’ the other day, which in my experience, whenever IT is involved is simply not easy. It did make me feel a bit like a spy though, such is the security involved in order to access work ‘servers’ remotely. I was sent a code – well 3 actually - long strings of numbers and my own ID code and by using complex (to me) combinations of said codes I did eventually manage to do what needed to be done. Then I had lunch, a bit of a mistake on more levels than one because while rustling up my omelette I managed to drop an egg on the floor – which cracked and while I was clearing it up the phone rang and in my haste to get to the phone I slipped – didn’t fall though because I grabbed the tea towel hanging on its hook on the back of the door. Nifty manoeuvre but sadly the hook fell off the door. Frankly lunch is over rated!

took real detective work because on-line platforms seem hell bent on trying to hide phone numbers from view – after all if people have the numbers they might actually CALL THEM. But my recent detective training meant that after quite a bit of searching I did manage to contact the bank and they sorted it very quickly – apparently the right link only works if you use the word international NOT overseas or abroad or even another country – they just don’t cut the mustard – but HOW ON EARTH WOULD I KNOW THAT!!! But the best came when I received several parking fines for ‘not displaying my permit properly’ and being a dutiful citizen each time I got one, I would twiddle my permit and think what on earth are they on about. But when it came to fine number 4, I marched into the parking office full of fury and indignation. Apparently the permit was fine and displayed correctly, the problem being that I was in the wrong car park. Completely my fault as I had assumed I would be allocated a space in the car park of the building I was actually working in! Foolish, obviously, because I was allocated a space in the car park of an entirely different building. The gentleman explained that traffic wardens only have so many options in terms of ‘categorising’ the offence and not displaying the permit properly was the closest match. Don’t they have a pen and paper – could they not have given me a hint that the permit wasn’t actually the problem it was that the car was in the wrong car park! That would have been too obvious. He then went on to explain carefully, as you would to a small child, using his pencil to point to a tiny code on the permit, showing me carefully that the symbol meant it was for the car park some ten minutes from my building. Yes you’ve guessed it I yelled loudly - BUT HOW ON EARTH WOULD I KNOW THAT!

So I went back to work but when I tried to do exactly what I was doing before it didn’t work, so I called IT help again and they told me that once I’d had a failed attempt I had to always request a new code (generated automatically) but HOW ON EARTH WOULD I KNOW THAT? No doubt the smart A’s amongst you will be thinking ‘bet it was in the on-line guide book’ - I was no doubt sent– and it was! But come on who actually reads guide books. Later that day I had to make a payment to an account abroad – I could tell you why but I might have to kill you, just jesting obviously. So I logged on and as it wasn’t especially obvious how to do it, I thought I would head to the ‘help’ pages – rarely helpful in my view - and the frequently asked questions are quite simply questions I never want to know the answers to! So I searched for making payments abroad, making payments oversees, making a payment to a different country etc etc. and after a while I resorted to calling the bank – which of course

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Cath Kidston Birds & Roses Dressing Gown £50, cathkidston.com

Ariana Grande Stripe Mini Skater Skirt £38, Lipsy

Benefit Cheekathon Gift Set £44.50, Debenhams

AFFINITY Octavia Ankle Boot £160, Dune

Vince Camuto Capri Fragrance £55, Debenhams

Rust Red Crossroads Picnic Blanket £99, thebritishblanketcompany.com

HOT PICKS

Filofax A5 Butterfly Notebook £12.99, filofax.co.uk

This month’s must have gifts and accessories

Beauty in the Wild Ring in Fluorite Gold £175, Chupi

David Bowie Inspired Lighting Elara £595, Besselink & Jones

Nica Bucket Bag £55, House of Fraser

Holy Grass Vodka £34, dunnetbaydistillers.co.uk

Lulu Tout Sutette Bra & Thong £26 & £14, figleaves.com

The ONE Fashion Headphones £30, cuckooland.com

Fruity Cushion Cover £13.90, vallilainterior.fi/en

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Mind Learning to

t’s a phrase we hear all the time and in many ways it can be quite innocent, but sometimes it is used when people DO mind. For a whole variety of reasons people find it hard to be honest and end up saying ‘I don’t mind’ often with a shrug, but really they do, and below that calm exterior there could be anything from mild irritation or the beginning of resentment to a complete martyr complex or visions of revenge. But if the question is about more important issues, surely it can never be a good idea to say you don’t mind if you actually do have a preference. In fact if there is a decision to be made then most times the majority of people would have a preference.

another checking out the menu and the prices. Yes, they obviously want to make sure it is the right kind of place but often what they are really afraid of is choosing something, then finding that it might have been better or cheaper elsewhere. Faced with that people often abdicate the responsibility – if you ‘don’t mind’ and go where someone else wants to go then if it all goes pear shaped (nothing wrong with pears I say) then it wasn’t your fault, so somehow not making the decision lets you off the hook.

The difficulty for some people lies in voicing that preference and they find themselves saying ‘I don’t mind’ and going along with what other people want. So what is wrong with that? Well the problem is that if we do have a preference, and very often we do, then it is quite reasonable for us to be able to say what that is. Obviously life involves compromise, but that is the next step after an opinion, or several opinions have been shared.

Trying to please everyone Make and be confident in your own decision. Stop looking for other people’s approval for everything. Live your life and do what YOU want. Mama Zara Kushandwizdom

If you don’t mind, that’s fine, if you do and make a conscious decision to let others make the decision for you that’s fine too. But if you end up saying I don’t mind quite often, when you really do mind then actually it’s probably time to change. After all, if you aren’t honest about what you want when it’s the small stuff you will probably find it very hard to be honest about the stuff that is important. In fact some people get ‘trapped’ into relationships with friends, relatives or partners where they start not being honest about the small stuff but end up finding it impossible to voice opinion in what they think about bigger decisions too. Every individual is of value, so their opinion and views are important too. Yes I am talking to YOU!

Undoubtedly some people find it much harder than others to feel assertive enough to say what they want, and for those who do find it difficult there are usually a few underlying reasons. Decisions can be stressful When you need to make a hard decision flip a coin. Because when it is in the air you suddenly know what you are hoping for. Source: - Pinterest

Too much information Strangely one of the other things that some people find hard is having too much information to deal with. We’ve probably all done it – spent endless hours researching hotels, holidays, cars, neighbourhoods when looking for a house, or job roles. In the end we get too much information, and somehow making any kind of decision seems too difficult, so once again it becomes easier to let someone else make the decision and just go along with it. Fear of getting it wrong This can hold many people back whether it is a big or small decision. Choosing a restaurant for example – you see people wandering from one to

If you find decisions hard or if you have a low self-esteem or know someone that has then we can help.

Contact Attuned Education at info@attunededucation.com or by calling 07921193479 or visit the website www.attunededcuation.com We are also on face book - Attunededucation is the page name and for twitter its @Sheilattuned

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THE AUCTION ROOM Got Something to Celebrate? Do it in style at The Auction Room, Bedfords most stylish and atmospheric bar. Wide range of wines, spirits, beers and amazing cocktails. Talk to us about reserving the lower floor (no hire charge) and let us help you make your function extra special.

1 Duke St Bedford 01234 330902 www.auctionroombar.co.uk

FASHION

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Marks and Spencer

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Coral Chic

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Organza Dress £75 Yumi

Dress BHS

DKNY Tote Bag £205 House of Fraser

Scarf Betty Barclay

peopletree High Neck Top £16 F&F Elsa Dress £68 People Tree

Skater Dress £24.99 New Look

Mini Skirt £26 La Redoute

Teardrop Chandelier Earrings £10 Accessorize

Bangles £6.99 New Look

Floral Skirt £20 F&F

Cut Out Sandal £27.99 New Look

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Star

Performer Shoes £22 very

Hobbi £65 Dune

Jewel Ballerina Shoe £14 Matalan

Hydie Shoe £75 Dune

Lattice Ballerina £15 Very

Michael Kors Moc Pumps £110 John Lewis

Mabel Ballerina Shoe £10 Very

Rosa Shoes £56 Oﬃce Michael Van Der Ham Ballet Shoes £25 M&S

Denim Ballerina Shoe £7 F&F

Strappy Ballet Shoe, Debenhams

Bardot Style

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Bright Stripe Bardot Top £12.99 New Look

Bardot Top £25 River Island

Striped Bardot Top £14.99 New Look

Pink Floral Bardot Dress £24.99 New Look

superdry

Frill Bardot Top £14 F&F

Michelle Keegan Floral Bardot Playsuit £50 Lipsy

Michelle Keegan Ribbed Bardot Dress £35 Lipsy

Frilled Bardot Top £20 Simply Be

Navy Top £29.50 M&S

Feather Print Bardot Playsuit, Missy Empire

Embroidered Bardot Dress £33 Glamorous

Lace Luxe

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Comelia Dress £189 Phase Eight

Lace Midi Dress New Look

Nicole Miller £59 Chic by Choice

littlewoodsireland

Lace Dress £49 Very

Lace Floral Dress £44.99 New Look

Lace Flower Top £35 M&S

Lola Lace Dress £150 Phase Eight Lace Dress £39.99 New Look

Louche Vilma Dress £79 JOY

Layered Lace Dress £140 Phase Eight lauraashley

Lace Top £25 M&S

Crochet £12 Primark

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FOOD & DRINK

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Flavours from The Cellar

Saturday Kitchen regulars, Susie Barrie and Peter Richards, have hand picked a line-up of new wines to join the menu for Mercure Hotels’ Flavours from the Cellar wine concept, a bold and inspiring concept that reflects Mercure hotels’ dedication to quality and delivering a personal experience that is just a little bit different. In addition to the wines selected by Susie and Peter, each hotel offers a tailored wine selection inspired by its locality, reflecting an intrinsic part of the Mercure brand DNA, to connect people with places. Available in all 73 UK Mercure hotels. www.mercure.com

FOODIE NEWS

Detox Never Tasted so Good

Detox diets have been the trend of 2015, from the raw food diet to Beyonce's go-to detox the Mastercleanse. Detox teas have been on the market for decades, but the launch of DTOX'T this month is an exciting and flavourful answer to losing up to 14lbs in a month, without the bitter taste. Unlike a standard green or other detox tea, DTOX'T is a complex natural herb formula designed to balance the body. You simply add hot water to start the detox process. Available in a variety of flavours such as mixed berries, pineapple and coconut, peppermint, strawberry and mango and original triple tea blend and priced at £21.99 from www.dtoxt.com

Byron: The Cookbook

Byron founder Tom Byng and his head chef Fred Smith are bringing proper hamburgers within the reach of home cooks, with their new book Byron: The Cookbook, distilling their knowledge of the w o r l d ’ s favourite comfort food – and a host of other enduring dishes into 110 recipes that capture the Byron philosophy of doing a simple thing and doing it properly. Published by Quadrille and priced at £20

My Sweet Potato

Tyrrells have launched a brand new range of crisps made from the nation’s new favourite vegetable – the sweet potato! This tasty new range comes in three flavours: Lightly Sea Salted, Coconut & Lime and Sweet Chilli, hand-cooked in small batches for that signature Tyrrells optimum taste and crunch! Available in 35g packs (£0.85) or 125g bags (£2.49) for sharing. This new range is available in Waitrose and independent retailers. 42

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Chicken and Chorizo Paella Ingredients 1 lemon 1 red pepper 2 chicken breasts 150g whole chorizo 190g Paella Starter Paste 300g paella rice 750ml hot chicken stock 100g peas 1 tbsp parsley

“A perfect dish for sharing that is great to serve at the table, with only one cooking pan to wash up.”

Method Cut the lemons into wedges. Slice the red peppers. Cut the chicken breasts into large chunks. Peel and thickly slice the whole chorizo. Heat a sautépan and add the chorizo. Cook for 4-5 minutes, until golden, then remove. Lightly brown the chicken. Add the peppers and paella starter paste, stir and cook for 2 minutes. Add the paella rice and chorizo, pour in the stock and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook for 20 minutes. Stir in the peas, re-cover and turn off the heat. Leave to rest for 5 minutes, then serve garnished with the lemon and parsley. www.cookwithmands.com

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Smoked Salmon and Horseradish Fishcakes “These delicious fish cakes have a little smokiness and heat from the horseradish, perfect when accompanied by a mixed leaf salad”

Ingredients 800g Maris Piper potatoes 2 lemons 6 spring onions 5 tbsp strong horseradish sauce 20g gherkins 8g fresh parsley 8g fresh dill 250g Lochmuir smoked salmon 3 tbsp olive oil 200ml half-fat crème fraîche 120g salad leaves

Method Cook and mash the Maris Piper potatoes. Finely chop the spring onions. Drain and chop the gherkins. Chop the fresh dill. Zest one of the lemons and cut the remaining one into wedges. Chop the smoked salmon. Transfer the mashed potato to a large bowl, add 2-3 tbsp horseradish sauce (to taste) and mix well. Stir through the spring onions, gherkins, parsley, most of the dill, grated lemon zest and salmon. Mix well and season. Divide the mixture into 2 equal amounts per person and shape into rounds using lightly floured hands. Chill for at least 20 minutes. Heat half the oil in a large frying pan until hot, then reduce the heat and fry 4 fishcakes over a medium heat for 4-5 minutes each side until golden and piping hot. Keep warm, and repeat with the remaining fishcakes, in batches if necessary. Meanwhile, mix the remaining horseradish sauce and dill with the crème fraîche, to taste. Serve the fishcakes with the salad leaves, horseradish and dill crème fraîche, plus a lemon wedge to squeeze over. www.cookwithmands.com

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Iced Blueberry and Lemon Meringue Crush

Method

Lightly crush the meringues and set aside. In a bowl, whip the cream to soft peaks. Fold in the lemon curd and the blueberries. Fold in the crushed meringues. Spoon into a 900g loaf tin (one for every 8 servings) lined and overhanging with cling film. Fold the overhang of cling film over, wrap again and freeze until ready to serve. Alternatively, spoon into some ramekin dishes, cover tightly with cling film and freeze. Transfer the frozen loaf to the fridge 30 minutes before slicing. The ramekins are Ingredients best left to stand at room 180g blueberries temperature 10 minutes or 325g Sicilian lemon curd so before spooning into. 300ml whipping cream www.cookwithmands.com 8 meringue nests

Chocolate, Nut and Berry Slice Method

Pit the dates. Break into squares the 85% cocoa solids dark chocolate. Shake the Ingredients Super Berry Smoothie. Heat the oven to 200g whole blanched almonds 180째C/160째C fan/gas 4. Scatter the nuts 100g pecan nuts over a large baking tray, then toast in the 250g dates oven for 10 minutes, stirring halfway 100g 85% cocoa solids dark through. Cool completely. chocolate Cover the dates with boiling water and soak 3 tbsp rapeseed or vegetable oil for 5 minutes. Grease and line a 25 x 18cm 50g desiccated coconut brownie tin or small roasting tin with 300ml Super Berry Smoothie baking parchment. Drain the dates and 150g mixed berries press out the excess water. Melt the chocolate in a microwave in 20second bursts until smooth. Put the dates into a food processor, add the chocolate and the oil, and whizz until smooth and thick. www.cookwithmands.com

Baileys Banana Trifles

Ingredients

300g pot extra-thick double cream 7 tbsp Baileys 6 chocolate brownies (about 250g), broken up, or use crumbled chocolate biscuits 3 bananas sliced 500g pot vanilla custard 6 tbsp toffee sauce 25g chocolate, grated

Method

Mix the cream with 1 tbsp Baileys, and set aside. Divide the brownie pieces between 6 glasses, then drizzle each with 1 tbsp Baileys. Top with the sliced bananas, custard and Baileys cream, dividing equally, then drizzle with toffee sauce and finish with grated chocolate. Can be made a few hours ahead. www.bbcgoodfood.com

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Pudding Nights

15th April & 6th May only £16 for a main course and as many desserts as you can squeeze in

Atlantic Experience Night

29th April Enjoy a 3 course meal & Speaker £22.50

Live Music Nights

8th April Jazz music with Dom Chandler 13th May Acoustic music with Danni Bentley, lead singer from The VIPeas

Spring Menu Tasting Night

22nd April Come along to sample our new spring menu, £22.50 per person

01234 781678

info@millhouse-riverside.co.uk www.millhouse-riverside.co.uk millhouse_hotel Millhouse Hotel and Riverside Restaurant Mill Road, Sharnbrook, Bedford MK44 1NP

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Murder On The River - A Whodunnit Thursday 21st April 2016 7pm – 11pm £49.00 per person

Bank Holiday Charity Family Fun Day Monday 2nd May 2016 From 12pm Live Music, BBQ, bouncy castle, face painting, raffle and Tombola ! FREE ADMISSION

John Bunyan River Cruise With Afternoon Tea Wednesday 4th May 2016 £20.00 per person Contact Graham on 01234 712660 / graham.mabbutt@dsl.pipex.com The Barns Hotel Cardington Road Bedford Bedfordshire MK44 3SA T: 01234 270044 E: events@barnshotelbedford.co.uk

Barns Hotel - Dining -Events

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INTERIORS

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sainsburyshome

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Beach Huts Mug £9.50 Coastal Home

Rope Table Lamp £69 Housing Units

Coastal Chic

Bring a relaxing seaside look into your decor with this season's nautical collections

Wooden Lantern £20 Matalan

Brass Telescope £145 Pastellane.co.uk

Rope Lantern £8 Matalan

Driftwood Anchor £15 Matalan

Fish Panels £65 Laura Ashley

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Beach Sign £17 Coastal Home

Knot Doorstop £16.00 tch.com

Nautical Cushion £18.99 Cuckooland.com

Beach Hut Picture Frame & Hooks - £40.00 tch.com Wooden Stand £245 shimu.co.uk Fish Wall Hanger £3 Matalan

Shell Towel Rack £6 Matalan

Square Driftwood Coﬀee Table £629 shabbystore.co.uk

Nautical Draws £35 Wilkinson

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Camilla Cushion £30 M&S

Spring Blossoms

Floral Anemones lovemyrtle.com

Wallflower Cushion £25 National Trust

Foral Love Blocks £12.50 Melody Maison

Floral Ceramic Jug£23.00 tch.com

Miranda Kerr 3 Piece Set £50 Houseology

Natural Wax Gel Candle £31 Stoneglow Candles

Floral Draws £16 BHS

Pip Studio Floral Fantasy Khaki Storage Jar

Set of 3 Floral Boxes £14 BHS

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Fry’s Footie Corner

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have spoken at length about the excitement of the Premier League over the course of the last few months in this column and as we approach the conclusion of the campaign, it is brilliant that Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur are out in front and look favourites for the title with Arsenal and Manchester City a way back. I think it is great for the league that two teams, who have not won the title in the Premier League guise, are fighting at the top and if we are all honest with ourselves, we wouldn’t begrudge Leicester claiming the silverware after the season they have had. It is certainly one in the eye for the big clubs. When you look at the season that Manchester United,

Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City have had in comparative terms to the aforementioned sides, it is no wonder that three of the four are changing their manager in the summer. It is not just the Premier League where the ‘big four’ dominance has been pierced. Crystal Palace, Watford and Everton have all made the semifinals of the Emirates FA Cup and one of the first two are guaranteed a spot in the final as they will meet each other. Palace may have struggled of late for goals, (they should play Dwight Gayle more often) but they have the opportunity to end the campaign well, while I have been very impressed with Watford this season. They are one of very few teams to 58

actually play two strikers and those two strikers have caused a lot of problems for Premier League opposition this term. Arsenal were knocked out of the Champions League by Barcelona, Chelsea were dumped out of the competition by PSG and Manchester United were not only knocked out of the Champions League, they also suffered defeat to local rivals Liverpool in the Europa League. Things need to improve on the European scene for English teams next season – what chance of Leicester beating Real Madrid? It could happen.

Barry Fry

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- Local Authority approved - Public Liability Insurance

All About...

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Humphrey Berney One third of the Classical Brit Award winning group ‘Blake’ - who will be appearing at this year’s Bedford Proms in the Park. We spoke to him about biscuits, time machines and fridges……

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Describe yourself in three words? Loving, Ambitious, Social

getting married, having a dog and things you truly love, the idea of anything happening to them is the worse possible scenario.

Your favourite place to relax? There is a very special little cottage, hidden away by the River Tamar, which I escape to with my wife and my dog. Big walks, stunning countryside for miles and no neighbours!

What is the one gadget you couldn't live without and why? Sad to say but my iphone. I travel around a lot and it's very useful! (Although I think people are way too dependent on them and I find people taking endless selfies and posting them on social media truly depressing!!)

Your most extravagant purchase and why? Besides a property in London (!!!) my Triumph Spitfire 1500 Mk1V. It was not very expensive for a car, especially a classic, but they require continual maintenance. I love it. I love cars. Roof down on a sunny day, sound of a stainless steel exhaust and a country lane. Heaven!

What book would you recommend to others? I'm presently reading Wild Swans by Jung Chang. It's a fascinating book about a family's history in China through the beginnings of communism. A great story and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m learning so much essential history as well.

Describe your ideal woman? Funny, creative, loving and beautiful. Has her own opinions and not afraid to voice them. Not precious and high maintenance. Luckily, I married her two years ago!

What would your last meal be? I love food so that's a tough one! First course: lobster bisque Main course: medium rare rib eye steak with dauphinois potatoes, steamed greens. Pudding: treacle tart with Rodders clotted cream. That will change in five minutes but I'm sticking with it!

If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you take with you? Presuming the island has some fresh water and some wild animals for food I would take: A machete, a photo of my wife, a fishing rod and tackle.

What actor would you have play you in a film and why? Steve McQueen. He is so stylish and I have quite an old fashioned face. He would certainly make me look cooler and more handsome than I am but I suppose that is the point! He also had lovely cars and motorbikes, which I plan to copy!

What would you do if you had a time machine? I would go back in time and see my sister before she took her life. Hopefully I could do something to stop it.

You canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t leave the house without and why? My Bremont watch. It's an amazing piece of engineering, it looks awesome (as do all their watches) and I don't like being late.

If you could be remembered for one thing what would it be? Kindness.

If I take a look in your fridge what would I find? Lots of fruit and veg, as I love to have a smoothie each day. Some manchego cheese, soya milk, probably some chicken from the night before, some beers and white wine.

If you could meet anyone in the world, dead or alive, who would it be and what would you say to them? I would see my sister. She took her life ten years ago and I would love to see her again. So much to say, I can't start now. If you were a biscuit what would you be and why? A macaroon. They have different elements to them - texture, flavours and they are not the typical choice.

What is your greatest fear? Harm to those I love. Since 61

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Bridgestone, Movie Icons and Tyres! Driving along the French Riviera in an open top classic sports car, sun on my face and wind in my hair I could almost taste what it felt like to be Audrey Hepburn. This was just one of the many live like a movie star highlights I experienced over a few days in Monaco and Cannes! What was the trip about this time? A luxury hotel? Fine dining? Haute Couture? No none of those things it was about……A Tyre!!! Yes that’s right a complete new Tyre innovation brought to us from Bridgestone.

First stop Monaco: a synonym for prestige. A place where the international elite gather, and home for us for the night at The Fairmont Hotel, luxurious accommodation, situated directly on the hairpin bend of the Grand Prix circuit with stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea – We were certainly loving life as a movie star!

An evening spent at Zelo's followed, situated on Avenue Princess Grace and located on the top floor of the Conference Centre of Monaco Grimaldi Forum, the terrace of this stunning restaurant offers you the most amazing views of Monaco and the Mediterranean Sea. Champagne, canapés, stilt walkers, acrobatics, entertainment, and delicious food was our experience that evening, we were being completely spoilt and still no idea what a TYRE had to do with being treated like we belonged on a permanent red carpet! Of course an evening in Monaco wouldn’t be complete without pretending you were a Bond girl in the latest 007 movie and making an appearance at the casino – did we win? Well I now have my own private jet!!! Chateau Cremat was our destination the next day – A unique castle on the French Riviera and the gem of Bellet wines and where the big unveiling of the reason we were being treated like a celebrity would take place – The anticipation was building as we made our way to our seats where a huge screen had a car driving in the mountains on a glorious sunny day, with just the right drive time music as the background………….. What would you do if you had a puncture on a country lane late at night? Or you were on a family day out and you had a puncture on the motorway with a new baby and 2 children under 10 in the car? Can you change a tyre? All these scenarios sound horrifying yet they happen to people everyday and I for one am one of the majority that can’t and don’t even know where to begin to change a tyre!!! So for me and I can only imagine

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the thousands of people out there the innovative technology from Bridgestone that was announced is a real game changer for me – DRIVEGUARD It’s a tyre designed to be fitted into all passenger cars equipped with a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System! The tyre can perform even when punctured, (including in the tyre’s tread and side wall areas) and delivers the highest standards of safety, wet performance, comfort and fuel efficiency. Basically, if you get a puncture in one of these tyres, you will get a warning light but you can continue driving for up to 50 miles at up to 50 miles an hour! WOW sounds too good to be true……. So we put it to the test…. We spent the night at The Grand Hyatt Cannes Hotel Martinez situated in a prime location on the exclusive Boulevard de la Croisette, overlooking the Bay of Cannes and the Mediterranean Sea. Dinner was enjoyed at an amazing local family run authentic restaurant and the next day we were greeted by over 5 million pounds worth of classic cars for us to take our pick of what one we fancied driving along the French Riviera – Spoilt for choice is an understatement it was like being in a designer shoe shop and telling me I could chose whatever I wanted! From Ferrari 328 to an Aston Martin DB9 (James Bond fame), in the end we decided on a Chevrolet Corvette convertible. And for the next few hours I knew what it truly felt like to be a movie icon! A little French cooking followed this, macaroons no less with lunch being served at a beach front restaurant

Deliberately punctured with a nail hammered into it, I was being let loose in a foreign country on mountainous roads with a punctured tyre – they were mad, or truly believed in their product and so they should – The drive was just as smooth as if you were driving with all 4 tyres inflated, round bends, up hills, down tight country roads close to cliffs and on the left hand side of the road as well these bad boys really did work they certainly were a ‘Game Changing’ product I for one will be having them fitted on my car as soon as they launch this month (April). So that’s it we have found out what all the secrecy was about and what an amazing product they were launching so now it was time to head home! Well not quite….

directly next to where the Cannes Film Festival takes place – Glorious sunshine, chilled wine, beachfront views and celebrity spotting what a perfect end to what can only be described as a “Game Changing Experience” the tyre of course not me! To find out more about Driveguard visit: www.bridgestone.co.uk/driveguard

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Viktor & Rolfe Spicebomb Extreme £56

Paul Smith Essential £38

Dior Sauvage Eau de Toilette £50

Dunhill Icon £55

Scents Michael Kors Extreme Blue Eau de Toilette from £36

Hugo Boss BOSS The Scent from £43

Get spritzing! We’ve rounded up our favourite scents for springtime

Montblanc Legend Spirit £39

Penhaligons No 33 Eau de Cologne £75

Makes

True Religion Drifter £21.99

Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gio Cologne £38

TRAVEL

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Heritage Rail

A Grand Tour of Switzerland

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efinitely one for your bucket list - A 'Grand Tour' exploring the stunning lakes and mountains of Switzerland on board historic trains is being brought to you by heritage rail operator The Railway Touring Company. Travellers joining The Railway Touring Company's new nine day 'Grand Tour of Switzerland' in October will be treated to an itinerary including Swiss alpine mountain railways on board mostly privately chartered steam trains and the legendary BLS 'Blue Arrow' railcar from 1938. The Railway Touring Company's MD, Nigel Dobbing said, “We've applied our years of experience of organising journeys, using Switzerland's wonderful heritage railways to create a journey we believe is a worthy addition to Switzerland Tourism's 'Grand Tour' idea.” The Railway Touring Company's Grand Tour will visit famous mountain resorts such as St Moritz and Grindelwald, which is overshadowed by the mighty Eiger North Face and the Jungfrau. Switzerland's historic steam locomotive Nr. 1067, which dates back to 1910, will be employed on one of the legs of the tour and trips on board the legendary Glacier Express, travelling past waterfalls, glaciers and over dramatic ravines, the Bernina Express and the William Tell Express are also part of the programme.

The spectacular Lötschberg summit route and Europe's oldest rack and pinion railway with its thrilling ascent to the 'Queen of the Mountains' Mount Rigi for views over the Swiss lakes and alpine landscape, across to the German Black Forest will add to the excitement of this nine day exploration of scenic Switzerland, says The Railway Touring Company. There is also a leisurely lake crossing from Lucerne to Vitznau on board the stately 1901 paddle steamer 'Uri'. Departing on 7th October the Grand Tour of Switzerland costs £1975 per person (single supplement £195). It includes eight nights accommodation with breakfast in three and four star hotels, two lunches and three dinners and first class travel on all journeys, including Eurostar to and from London St Pancras and Paris Gare du Nord and onward to Interlaken, except the mountain excursions where only standard class is available. Other heritage rail based tours in Switzerland in 2016 offered by The Railway Touring Company, include 'Snow & Steam in the Swiss Alps', the 'Swiss Bernese Oberland', 'Lucerne and the Swiss Alps' and 'Summer at Lake Geneva'.

BOOK IT! The Railway Touring Company Tel: 01553 661500 www.railwaytouring.net

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Contemporary meets Comfort in Central London

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ituated in central London, close to many of the Capital’s landmarks, with the London Eye being only a 15 minute walk away, the beautifully designed, ultra modern Novotel, Blackfriars is definitely worth a stay if you’re planning a visit to London anytime soon.

With floor to ceiling glass windows, you’ll be amazed at how bright, airy and contemporary the lobby area is – with state of the art interactive self check in systems, the latest Microsoft Surface table and smiling helpful staff who are on hand just in case technology proves a little bit too complicated for you! Whether it’s a superior room or a suite, all 182 rooms have an in vogue feel. At the touch of a button a glass partition between the bathroom & bedroom transforms from a clear to opaque finish – And the luxury rain-shower is a real treat. 32” TV’s with media hub, minibar, robes and a nespresso coffee machine all add up to modern day London living. Luckily for us after a day of sightseeing, shopping and shows the hotel’s newly opened restaurant ‘Jamboree Foodfest and Bar’ tempted our taste buds with a menu that celebrates flavours from around the world – we couldn’t wait to try something just a little bit different.

The restaurant has a chilled, relaxed atmosphere. Sipping on a cocktail we waited for our starters of Goan fishcakes with mango dipping sauce and crispy spiced calamari, which were both delightful. At the recommendation of our waiter The ‘Maryland’ burger followed – an American style soft-shell crab in a bun with sweet potato fries – Yes an entire crab in a bun, claws as well!!! This was so tasty, full of goodness and oh so fresh. The black bean and cumin Yucatan burger was the other choice, with a Mexican twist and flavours that merged together effortlessly. Not wanting to miss out we decided to share a dessert in the form of the warm chocolate hazelnut brownie served with toffee ice cream, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. Friendly staff and a warm ambience were the icing on the cake in a restaurant that serves that something just a little bit different! Next time we visit London will definitely be paying this hotel and restaurant another visit! BOOK IT: Prices start from £125 per room (room only basis) or £142 per room (to include breakfast) based on 2 sharing in a superior room. www.novotel.com/Blackfriars

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Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is Landing

Watch out! Next month the most Fantasmagorical musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang lands in Milton Keynes. One of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favourite musicals, Chitty Chitty, Bang Bang will have audiences of all ages flying high with its mixture of madness, intrigue and exuberance.

Can the loveable but whacky inventor, Potts, along with his two children and the gorgeous Truly Scrumptious outwit the bombastic Baron Bomburst who has decreed that all children be banished from his kingdom? What happens when the children are caught and imprisoned with the other youngsters by the evil Childcatcher? Will it all end happily-everafter? Well, of course it will! Having broken all box office records in

the West End, this fun-filled production from the team that brought you Fiddler on the Roof and The King and I promises laughs and magic galore â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and Chitty herself!

Starring Lee Mead (Casualty, Legally Blonde, Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat) as Caractacus Potts, Michelle Collins (EastEnders, Coronation Street) as Baroness Bomburst and Shaun Williamson (EastEnders, Extras) as Lord Scrumptious/Baron Bomburst, making this fabulous family entertainment. Wed 4th - Sat 14th May Milton Keynes Theatre 0844 8717652 www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes

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Time to Celebrate

You must have been hibernating if you haven’t heard the news that The Bedford Park Proms are back this summer (6th August), featuring Classical Brit Award winning group ‘Blake’ and Soprano ‘Rebecca Newman’ as well as the renowned London Gala Orchestra and the Bedford Choral Society - but did you also know that it is their 20th anniversary, which not only means you will have the usual night of spectacular music, stunning fireworks and a fabulous laser show, but there will also be a few surprises along the way!

One of the surprises and BRAND NEW for 2016 is ‘The Park Lounge’ – the ultimate VIP experience for guests who want to enjoy Bedford Park Proms in style. Having only a limited number of spaces you will need to be quick if you don’t want to miss out on this ultimate experience which includes: -

Concert Ticket to Bedford Park Proms Fast Track’ entry into Bedford Park Access into ‘The Park Lounge’ and garden A glass of chilled prosecco on arrival Summer BBQ Prime viewing position Furniture inside and outside

Access to The Park Lounge Bar Souvenir event Lanyard Signed programme per couple Luxury toilet facilities

So if you want to enjoy this great British tradition with that extra bit of pomp and circumstance then these are the tickets for you – Priced at £90 per person including VAT, be sure to book yours today!

WIN! WIN! WIN!

We have a fantastic prize for you to win your very own table for 6 people at this year’s Bedford Park Proms. All you have to do is bring yourself and 5 friends along to Bedford Park and LPH concerts will do the rest – You will have your very own table and chairs in a prime position set up for six people with white linen, a programme each, a hamper each, a ticket each and a few little extras! This is a fantastic prize (if only we could enter ourselves!)

To be in with a chance of winning just tell us one of the acts performing at this year’s Bedford Park Proms and send your answer to: affinitymagcomp@gmail.com Closing date is 15th May – GOOD LUCK!

For all ticket bookings please visit www.bedfordparkconcerts.co.uk and remember early bird ticket prices end on 30th April - So be quick!

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STARS Manish Kumar Arora (K.P. Astrologer, Numerologist, Tarot Card Reader & Vastu Consultant) reveals whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in store for you this month

Aries (21 March â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 19 April) This is a powerful time of change and transformation. The old is melting away and with it the tears, the pain, and the stagnation. You will find yourself in a fluid, fertile, and empowered state. Gather yourself and move forward. Root yourself in something new, a dream, a goal, a change, an idea. New projects will be presented to you. An abundance of ideas will flood your consciousness. New love, new opportunity, and new passion follow closely behind as you propel forward. Favourable Dates : April 3, 4, 12, 13, 21, 22 Favourable Colours : Red & White 72

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Taurus (20 April – 20 May) Be prepared for this period of metamorphosis. You are shedding layers, releasing and purging the old. Allow yourself to let go of the worn-out ideas and faces of yourself. You have the power to make things happen. Set your mind to it, speak it into life, and let it be so. Activate your creative ingenuity and be amazed by what manifests in your life. Set aside worries about resources, and helping hands, the idea must come first - the rest will appear. Favourable Dates : April 3, 6, 12, 15, 21, 24 Favourable Colours : Green & White Gemini (21 May – 20 June) You will realise that your capacity to manifest your vision into the physical is fully activated. This capacity comes from a much more balanced mind/heart connection, which happened while you weren’t looking. You’ve got a new outlook that serves you well, but it won’t mean that much if your heart isn’t 100 percent along for the ride. Pay attention to those places where you’re not feeling all in, especially where new chapters are beginning. Favourable Dates : April 4, 8, 13, 17, 22, 26 Favourable Colours : Red & Yellow

Cancer (21 June – 22 July) You’ve been considering ways to get back to a more productive pace, believing that what you’ve been focused on is your one and only path. Expect the pace to pick up this month, forcing you to review recent ideas and projects. Tapping into your dreams for inspiration will be a breeze later this month. You may need to prioritise your values to accomplish everything on your to-do list. Writing and creativity figure prominently now. Favourable Dates : April 1, 3, 10, 12, 19, 21 Favourable Colours : Red & White Leo ( 23 July – 22 August) This month finds you at your most adventurous and philosophical. Routine tends to bother you now, as you instinctively are drawn towards anything that brings you up and out of the mundane. You feel more fulfilled when you expand your horizons during this cycle. This can be a restless time, and it could also be a little self-indulgent. It's a very pleasant time when you have the guts to do something different and enjoy yourself. Favourable Dates : April 3, 7, 12, 16, 21, 25 Favourable Colours : Blue & White Virgo (23 August – 22 September) Your partnerships are highlighted right now and it's time to compromise. Trying to go it alone won't work just now. The spotlight is on other people for the time being, and it's best to let them shine. Concentrate on truly listening to those close to you, and on playing a supportive role. Your vitality may be on the low side, and you may feel that others oppose you, or that circumstances seem almost to be conspiring to work against you. Favourable Dates : April 3, 8, 12, 15, 21, 26 Favourable Colours : Yellow & White

Libra (23 September – 22 October) Your dreams and visions are richer than ever, and you experience a magical opportunity to tap into your intuition and imagination. In committed relationships things are certain to smooth over and you can enjoy a healthier, more realistic relationship. Pay attention to your finances. Staying organised in this area of your life is a must. If a trusted

partner wants to lend you a hand by helping to control your finances, it's probably a good idea to let them. Favourable Dates : April 1, 2, 10, 11, 19, 20 Favourable Colours : Red & Green

Scorpio (23 October – 21 November) Your dreams and visions are richer than ever and you experience a magical opportunity to tap into your intuition and imagination. Your powers of attraction are high and if you're looking for love, this is an opportune time to get yourself out there. Superficial associations and friendships no longer do it for you, as you seek more meaningful connections. The manner in which you express yourself is subtly changing as well. Favourable Dates : April 1, 3 10, 12, 19, 21 Favourable Colours : Blue & Yellow Sagittarius (22 November -21 December) Your self-confidence and positive attitude will reward you. You will be on top of your game this month, for the most part and positive connections with others can be made fairly easily. A comfortable level of personal popularity will help to keep conflict to a minimum. With the ability to handle your emotions successfully, there would be less stress on both your mind and body. Romance is in the air, as this month increases your sensuality, appeal and animal magnetism. Favourable Dates : April 6, 8, 15, 17, 24, 26 Favourable Colours : Blue & White Capricorn (22 December – 19 January) The energies of this month favour negotiations, deals, legal matters, reasonable speculation and travel. This aspect also favours positive outcomes in competitive activities, including sports and business. Your social life is likely to be busy and animated. New and in-progress learning endeavors should go well or improve, as your thinking is especially forwardlooking and ahead of the times. It is a friendly time, when it is easy to enjoy life and friendship and romance. Favourable Dates : April 2, 3, 11, 12, 20, 21 Favourable Colours : Red & White

Aquarius (20 January – 18 February) This is a month of action. The seeds you plant now, you will reap later. Others might find you less sociable, as you are busier than ever and you focus on your activities and your needs. Spontaneity is brought to your personal relationships. This could be a good month for financial undertakings involving electronics, technology, the internet, metaphysics, and the arts, as well as group activities. Others sense your dynamism and you are likely to attract good things to you as a result. Favourable Dates : April 4, 6, 13, 15, 22, 24 Favourable Colours : Purple & White

Pisces (19 February – 20 March) It may be a time during which you reconsider or revamp your personal belief system. You may experience an increased need for greater understanding, wisdom, and awareness, as well as increased interest in the healing arts and holistic health this month. It is a time when you need to let go of things that no longer serve their purpose, and hold on to things that have a future. It is a time of cleaning out dead wood, not necessarily for new beginnings. Favoruable Dates : April 1, 4, 10, 13, 19, 22 Favourable Colours : Red & Blue

manishastroconsultant manish@manishastrologer.com

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A quiet night in... The Woman who Ran By Sam Baker When someone is under your skin, there is only so far you can run - She can run. But can she hide? Helen Graham is a new arrival in a tiny Yorkshire village, renting dilapidated Wildfell Hall. The villagers are intensely curious - what makes her so jumpy and why is she so evasive? Their interest is Helen's worst nightmare. Looking over her shoulder every day, she tries to piece together her past before it can catch up with her. With everything she knows in fragments, from her marriage to her career as a war photographer, how can she work out who to trust and what to believe? Most days she can barely remember who she is...

The Jungle Book

Iron Man director Jon Favreau re-invents Disney's classic for a whole new generation. Orphaned 'man cub' Mowgli (Neel Sethi) has been raised by wolves Raksha (Lupita Nyong'o) and Akela (Giancarlo Esposito) deep within the Indian jungle. However, Mowgli's life is threatened by ferocious, man-eating tiger Shere Khan (Idris Elba). With the help of jaguar mentor Bagheera (Ben Kingsley) and loyal bear Baloo (Bill Murray), Mowgli must discover the strength to embrace his destiny and stand up to the fearsome Khan once and for all. Rudyard Kipling's beloved novel was adapted by Disney into their classic 1967 animation, and now Iron Man filmmaker Jon Favreau gives Kipling's tale a thrilling new makeover. Mixing live-action performance with cutting-edge CGI, this promises to be a visually spectacular and exciting family adventure, one featuring an all-star voice cast that also includes Scarlett Johansson as snake Kaa and Christopher Walken as orangutan leader King Louie. Release Date: 15th April

Bridge of Spies

Tom Hanks stars in this historical drama, set during the Cold War, directed by Steven Spielberg. When Rudolf Abel (Mark Rylance) sits down on a park bench in Brooklyn, New York, a secret message left for him causes the FBI to arrest him under suspicion of being a Soviet spy. When insurance lawyer James B. Donovan (Hanks) is assigned to Abel's defence, he finds his new challenge increasingly difficult as the defendent refuses to co-operate. Release Date: 28th March