Beresfords Winter 2010

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S T Y L E

ESSEX HOMES & STYLE

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WWW.BERESFORDSGROUP.CO.UK

YO U R G U I D E TO P R O P E R T Y, H O M E , STYLE & LIFE MasterChef Live: Behind the scenes Fashion from Paul Smith Devon’s Mercury Music Prize nominated folk singer/songwriter Seth Lakeman Beth Tweddle: Taking to the floor Interiors: Berkshire’s finest interior design company Alexander James Jaguar’s Le Mans GT2 debut and much more...

winter

2010

10TH EDITION

WINTER 10 TENTH EDITION

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Quality doesn’t have to cost the earth HAND E MADE FURNITUR

Thoroughly Wood are a family run company making traditional handmade bespoke furniture of superior quality in solid timber, using a range of soft and hardwoods. Involving our customers in the whole process, we have a loyal following who are extremely enthusiastic about their experience with Thoroughly Wood.

Whether you are looking for furniture for the kitchen, the bathroom, the dining room or for commercial purposes, we have a wide range of products that are built specific to customers’ needs.

We also provide a professional design service in conjunction with customers’ input and requirements.

Customers are welcome and encouraged to visit our workshop to see how unique furniture pieces are made by our in-house trained craftsmen.

Please call us on 0845 8730265

Mark Lineham

www.thoroughlywood.co.uk

0845 8730265

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Abels.

The hallmark of a premium move.

Fine antiques or modern pieces, home or abroad, Abels has generations of experience in moving treasured possessions with care and discretion. Our service is unashamedly individual, and reassuringly meticulous.

Exclusively Abels.

By Appointment To Her Majesty The Queen Removals and Storage Contractor Abels

Freephone: 0800 626769 E-Mail: enquiries@abels.co.uk OVERSEAS REMOVER Advance Payment Guaranteed

www.abels.co.uk

Certificate No. FS23942

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8 PROPERTY/PROPERTY SECTION A selection of some of the finest properties currently available in your area from Beresfords.

40 EXCLUSIVE/35 YEARS AND STILL SOLD ON PROPERTY! April this year saw Paul Beresford clock up 35 years with the firm.

42 EXCLUSIVE/SPOTLIGHT ...on two of the finest properties currently available for sale in the County.

44 MOTORING/LE MANS Our motoring man Kevin Haggarthy joins the Jaguar Racing Team as their invited guest, on their debut GT2 race entry at the famous 24hr Le Mans.

50 HOMES/ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT Caroline Rogers, Associate Director of Berkshire’s finest interior design company Alexander James, talks styles, spaces and the ultimate design sin!

70 EVENTS/MASTERCHEF LIVE A behind the scenes look at London’s premier gourmet food event, and an exclusive interview with John Torode on MasterChef’s involvement in this year’s schedule.

54 FASHION & BEAUTY/SIR PAUL SMITH The iconic English fashion designer and entrepreneur talks exclusively about his journey to the pinnacle of British fashion, and the launch of his new Junior collection.

79 ARTS/WINNING HEARTS & MINDS Devon’s Mercury Music Prize nominated folk singer/songwriter Seth Lakeman talks exclusively about the release of his latest album, and his battle to win mainstream recognition.

60 FOOD & DRINK/WINE FOR ALL SEASONS We discover Chateau Civrac, the dream venture of Cornishman Mark Hellyar, who sought to create a modern boutique wine in Bordeaux.

84 SPORT & FITNESS/TAKING TO THE FLOOR Double gymnastics World Champion Beth Tweddle MBE, tells of the highs and lows of life in the sporting spotlight.

66 TRAVEL/ALGARVE’S HOLE IN ONE Travel correspondent Claire Durkin takes a trip to Portugal’s exclusive resort, and golfing haven, Vale do Lobo.

contents

winter 2010 collection

Advertising: Tel: 0845 521 5377 E-mail: sales@cream-group.co.uk Editorial: Tel: 0845 521 5221 E-mail: editorial@cream-group.co.uk

THE

CLUB

4 winter

© Cream Worldwide Ltd. All rights reserved. Reproduction is forbidden except by express permission of the publishers. The content of this magazine is believed to be correct but its accuracy is not guaranteed and does not form part of any offer or contract. Beresfords cannot accept responsibility for any omissions or errors.

The views expressed within editorials are those of the writers and not those of Cream Worldwide Ltd.

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The ultimate audio systems

Full range of Naim Audio systems stocked including the state-of-the-art Naim 500 Series.

Naim Audio systems from around £4k to £60k+

Essex’ leading supplier and installer of high quality home entertainment and home control systems. Experience the best.

CHELMSFORD

COLCHESTER

RAYLEIGH

SOUTHEND

216 Moulsham Street

33 Sir Isaac’s Walk

44A High Street

132/4 London Road

Tel: 01245 265245

Tel: 01206 577682

Tel: 01268 779762

Tel: 01702 435255

E-mail:chelmsford@rayleighhifi.com

E-mail:colchester@rayleighhifi.com

E-mail:rayleigh@rayleighhifi.com

E-mail:southend@rayleighhifi.com

www.rayleighhifi.com

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Hutton Hall, currently on the market for £5 million

Moore, which concluded with Moore losing his head. Rich never actually lived at the Estate but a large Catholic family, the Whites, occupied the house and their daughter was lady in waiting to Mary Tudor.

Welcome to the new edition of our Essex Homes and Style Magazine.

Hutton Hall, on the rural fringes of Shenfield, is being offered for sale for the first time in half a century and is currently on the market for £5million.

A house has sat on the site of Hutton Hall since before the Domesday Book was written where the original house started life as a moated farmhouse. When William the Conqueror invaded England in 1066 he acquired the estate and rented it out to raise money for the abbey he was building in Battle, Sussex.

In 1381 Jack Straw, leader of the Essex peasants, and Wat Tyler, leader of the Kent peasants, successfully burnt down the house as part of the Peasants Revolt. Whilst Henry VIII was on the throne he gave the Hutton Hall Estate to Richard Rich as part payment of his infamous betrayal of Sir Thomas

Over the next 100 years Hutton Hall passed through various owners until it burnt down in 1720. The house was re-built around the existing and surviving Tudor Hall and was owned for a time by a Governor of the Bank of England in the mid 18th Century. Digby Neave, a Colonel in the Indian army, inherited the house but was forced to sell off a significant part of the Estate to pay for death duties. The house was then acquired in the early 20th Century by the Pilkington Glass family who lived there until the outbreak of the Second World War when the house was used as a children’s home for evacuees.

The current owner’s late father purchased the house in 1960 and returned the Estate to a glorious family home.

Today, the Grade II listed house has the capacity to provide 14 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms in addition to Beadels a two storey late Victorian wing with 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms and the 2 bedroom Hutton Hall Lodge. The part moated grounds extend to nearly 8 acres and includes a 17th Century walled garden and stable block.

cases lead the national league tables for their academic excellence. The transport links serve the commuter well with London Liverpool Street and Fenchurch Street taking people direct into the heart of the City. The area has great diversity with rolling farmland, hills and forest and Essex has the second longest coast line in England after Cornwall. The County has a wealth of fine country properties ranging from little cottages to some fine period mansions.

We are seeing a growing and consistent demand for country houses in the area not just from local buyers but also those moving from near our Greater London and Central London offices into Essex.

I hope you enjoy this edition of Essex Homes & Style. If we can help you with any of your property needs we’d be delighted to hear from you.

Paul Beresford FNAEA Chairman/Managing Director Beresfords

It is easy to see why Essex holds great potential for a place to live. The local schools, state and private, are plentiful and in some

welcome

winter 2010 collection

Advertising: Tel: 0845 521 5377 E-mail: sales@cream-group.co.uk Editorial: Tel: 0845 521 5221 E-mail: editorial@cream-group.co.uk

THE

CLUB

6 winter

© Cream Worldwide Ltd. All rights reserved. Reproduction is forbidden except by express permission of the publishers. The content of this magazine is believed to be correct but its accuracy is not guaranteed and does not form part of any offer or contract. Beresfords cannot accept responsibility for any omissions or errors.

The views expressed within editorials are those of the writers and not those of Cream Worldwide Ltd.

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Hutton VIEW ON

BTV

Price ÂŁ5,000,000

A Grade II Listed Georgian Manor house situated on the edge of Hutton Village. The main house comprises 5 bedrooms, 5 reception rooms, 2 bathrooms, 3 bedroom second floor apartment, 2 bedroom first floor apartment, 2 bedroom lodge house and 4 bedroom Victorian wing. Positioned on a plot of 8 acres (stls).

View our properties on TV at

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Country Homes Office (01245) 397475

OfďŹ ces throughout Essex, Greater and Central London

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Navestock VIEW ON

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Price ÂŁ2,450,000

An exquisite timber framed Grade II Listed family house believed to date from 1640 and set within beautiful moated gardens and grounds approaching 1 acre (stls). Yew Tree Farm has been the subject of considerable renovations and extension works and is beautifully presented throughout incorporating many quality fixtures and fittings including some by Clive Christian.

View our properties on TV at

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Country Homes Office (01245) 397475

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Woodham Mortimer VIEW ON

BTV

Price ÂŁ2,250,000

A large country house offering flexible accommodation with annexe and stables. The main house comprises 5 reception rooms, master bedroom suite with bathroom and dressing room, 9 further bedrooms, 2 cloakrooms and 2 bathrooms. The grounds and paddock extend to 3 acres, 2 stables and large double garage and workshop.

View our properties on TV at

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Country Homes Office (01245) 397475

OfďŹ ces throughout Essex, Greater and Central London

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Handcrafted Perfection Steinway & Sons pianos are individually created, which gives them their own unique characteristics and incomparable sound.

Suffice to say that those at the top of their profession, as well as those who simply want the best, invest in nothing less.

“STEINWAY & SONS IS THE ONLY PIANO ON WHICH THE PIANIST CAN DO EVERYTHING HE WANTS, AND EVERYTHING HE DREAMS” VLADIMIR ASHKENAZY

STEINWAY HALL, 44 MARYLEBONE LANE, LONDON W1U 2DB WWW.STEINWAY.CO.UK

TEL: 020 7487 3391

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Blackmore VIEW ON

BTV

Price On Application

Oaklands is a most attractive Victorian villa believed to date back to 1881 and has been the subject of considerable improvements and renovations to create a spacious and comfortable family environment for those seeking an impressive country home coupled with excellent equestrian facilities within grounds extending to approximately 8 acres (stls).

View our properties on TV at

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Country Homes Office (01245) 397475

OfďŹ ces throughout Essex, Greater and Central London

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G N I N R U T E R A S R E Y S U N B O I E L L I M M O H IN THEIR T E N R E T TO THE IN

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Willingale Price £1,100,000

An attractive detached family house set in an idyllic country setting and surrounded by various outbuildings. The house is offered with planning consent to connect the house to the adjacent barn adding further accommodation. The property, not listed, is said to date in part from the 15th century and exposed beams and studwork can be seen throughout the house.

Country Homes Office (01245) 397475

Ongar VIEW ON

BTV

Price £1,000,000

Detached character house occupying a plot of land extending to circa 1.2 acres (stls). The property features accommodation of great charm and character with feature fireplaces. Set within the grounds is a self contained 3 bedroom cottage and 2 bedroom barn conversion. There is also a heated swimming pool with Roman end.

View our properties on TV at

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Country Homes Office (01245) 397475

Offices throughout Essex, Greater and Central London

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Tollesbury Price £800,000

A Grade II Listed farmhouse in an idyllic setting. The house sits in its plot of approx 1 acre (stls) and has a useful 1 bedroom annexe, a large barn and outside office behind the main house.

The house has been renovated to a very high standard offering bright and generous family accommodation throughout.

Country Homes Office (01245) 397475

Rivenhall VIEW ON

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Price £725,000

The Granary is a delightful period property believed to date back approximately 250 years and was formerly a grain store prior to being converted to workers’ cottages and is positioned adjacent to open fields with panoramic views over adjoining countryside. 4 bedrooms, 3 reception rooms, stable block, swimming pool, 0.6 of an acre.

View our properties on TV at

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Country Homes Office (01206) 764000

Offices throughout Essex, Greater and Central London

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Bocking Price £599,995

A Grade II Listed 16th century converted water mill offering accommodation of great charm and character and located on an established plot of land extending to circa 0.6 of an acre (stls).

The property retains much of the original character and the rear gardens are flanked by the River Blackwater with superb views across open countryside.

Country Homes Office (01206) 764000

Rivenhall VIEW ON

BTV

Price £399,500

An ideal opportunity to acquire a recently refurbished Grade II Listed cottage dating from the early 16th century. The 3 bedroom cottage is situated on the edge of the popular village of Rivenhall and is close to the excellent shopping, recreational and commuting facilities of nearby Witham.

The house benefits from a terrace off the garden room and a triple garage.

View our properties on TV at

www.beresfords.tv

Country Homes Office (01206) 764000

Offices throughout Essex, Greater and Central London

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Ramsden Bellhouse Price £2,100,000

Situated in this sought after village location, is this impressive 7 bedroom executive home, which is set in grounds of approximately 1.25 acres. The accommodation is set over 3 floors and boasts impressive entrance hallway and galleried landing, 3 reception rooms, kitchen/dining area, TV room, self contained annexe and outbuilding.

Billericay Office (01277) 626262

Billericay VIEW ON

BTV

Price £1,550,000

Impressive 7 bedroom detached residence in one of Billericay’s most prestigious roads backing onto Norsey Woods. The accommodation is presented to a high specification and boasts a refitted kitchen/breakfast room, conservatory, 2 further reception rooms and snooker room. There is an established rear garden and a generous road frontage providing access to the double garage.

View our properties on TV at

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Billericay Office (01277) 626262

Offices throughout Essex, Greater and Central London

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Billericay Price £975,000

Substantial 5 bedroom detached house that is within close proximity to Billericay High Street and mainline railway station. The property benefits from 3 reception rooms, 2 en suites plus family bathroom and shower room, dance studio/gymnasium, indoor swimming pool complex, double garage and 130 ft rear garden.

Billericay Office (01277) 626262

Braintree VIEW ON

BTV

Price £775,000

A 4 bedroom chalet bungalow situated in excess of 4 acres, (stls), providing wonderful countryside views. The property is set back from the popular London Road and provides convenient access to Braintree town centre, railway station and A120. The property offers spacious living accommodation with the opportunity to adapt the accommodation further, subject to planning permission.

View our properties on TV at

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Braintree Office (01376) 348444

Offices throughout Essex, Greater and Central London

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Black Notley Price £459,995

Enjoying a delightful location in the sought-after village of Black Notley, is this 4 bedroom detached family residence. 4 spacious bedrooms with master benefiting from an en suite shower room, 3 reception rooms, kitchen/diner, utility room and ground floor WC. Garaging and off street parking facilities for multiple cars and established rear gardens.

Braintree Office (01376) 348444

Brentwood VIEW ON

BTV

Price £1,350,000

Located in one of the premier turnings in central Brentwood is this 5 bedroom detached family home.

3 reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room with granite working surfaces, conservatory, master suite with dressing room and luxury en suite bathroom, guest room with en suite shower room, in and out driveway, double garage and outdoor heated swimming pool.

View our properties on TV at

www.beresfords.tv

Brentwood Office (01277) 231515

Offices throughout Essex, Greater and Central London

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Herongate Price £925,000

Stunning double fronted Grade II listed period property, overlooking the attractive Herongate cricket green and offers a well established private walled rear garden. 5 bedrooms with en suite to master, attractive entrance hall is entered via 2 sets of double doors with an impressive staircase and doors to 2 main reception rooms with walk in bay windows and views out across the cricket pitch.

Brentwood Office (01277) 231515

Ingrave VIEW ON

BTV

Price £819,995

Attractive Grade II listed weather boarded 4 bedroom detached house standing on a superb plot of just 0.5 of an acre. Superb lounge with bi folding doors to garden, kitchen/breakfast room with granite working surfaces, separate dining room, utility room, en suite, family bathroom, many character features, superb gardens backing fields, double carport.

View our properties on TV at

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Brentwood Office (01277) 231515

Offices throughout Essex, Greater and Central London

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Great Waltham Price £525,000

An extended and detached 4 double bedroom family house situated in a cul-de-sac with views across open farmland, 4 reception rooms, fitted kitchen, en suite to master, ground floor cloakroom, useful studio room with cloakroom above garage, off street parking, no onward chain and internal viewing strongly advised.

Chelmsford Office (01245) 500555

Chelmsford VIEW ON

BTV

Price £450,000

This charming detached family home has been extended and boasts 3 good sized bedrooms, 3 reception areas and well established gardens to the rear and side of the property. Character features include original exposed beams, original stained glass windows to the front of the property with the added benefit of a detached garage and off street parking and countryside views to the rear.

View our properties on TV at

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Chelmsford Office (01245) 500555

Offices throughout Essex, Greater and Central London

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Nayland Price £409,995

Situated in a picturesque rural location in the popular secluded village of Wiston, an attractive well presented period family cottage set in approx 0.45 acres (stls) of mature, well tended gardens.

Entrance hall, sitting room, dining room, fitted kitchen, 3 bedrooms, bathroom, shower room.

Parking for several vehicles, oil heating. Panoramic rural views.

Colchester Office (01206) 764444

Stoke by Nayland VIEW ON

BTV

Price £350,000

Victorian detached residence that has undergone extensive improvement by the present owners, maintaining much of its original character and is positioned in an elevated spot with delightful views over a mature front garden. Benefiting from 3 bedrooms, garden room, galley style fitted kitchen, utility area, oversized detached garage and ample off road parking for several cars.

View our properties on TV at

www.beresfords.tv

Colchester Office (01206) 764444

Offices throughout Essex, Greater and Central London

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Havering-atte-Bower Price £525,000

Chalet style detached property on a plot of approximately three quarters of an acre (stls) and is approached via a private road. The property requires modernisation and therefore offers ideal scope for possible re-development of a more substantial property (stpc). Kiln Wood Lane is a most attractive road and the plot itself provides an excellent rural feel.

Gidea Park Office (01708) 730255

Gidea Park VIEW ON

BTV

Price £899,995

Detached family home, contemporary of the 1911 Exhibition, offering 4 bedrooms; 2 with en suites and 2 receptions. The property also has the advantage of a long front garden with carriage drive, garage and a landscaped garden that backs Raphaels Park. Convenient for Gidea Park’s village shops, arterial routes and mainline railway station.

View our properties on TV at

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Gidea Park Office (01708) 730255

Offices throughout Essex, Greater and Central London

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Gidea Park Price £625,000

An attractive 4 bedroom family house situated in one of Gidea Park’s premier locations. The property is approached via a reception hall giving access to the 2 ground floor reception rooms and cloakroom.

Master bedroom with en suite shower room and fitted wardrobes, whilst the other 3 bedrooms are of a good size. Splendid rear garden and a garage approached from own carriage drive.

Gidea Park Office (01708) 730255

Gidea Park VIEW ON

BTV

Price £504,995

Large detached house, over 3 floors and incorporates a main loft area bedroom with shower room/wc, 3 further double bedrooms, modern style bathroom and to the ground floor there is a lounge/diner, kitchen/breakfast room, utility room, conservatory addition and ground floor wc. Having ample parking to front, an integral garage and approximately 100ft rear garden.

View our properties on TV at

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Gidea Park Office (01708) 730255

Offices throughout Essex, Greater and Central London

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Quality, Design, Affordability.....

Looking to revive and update, or taking on a new build project...?

At BATHROOM STUDIO we can assist in designing and specifying your new bathroom. Select the very best in today’s most functional designs together with the highest quality products from Europe’s foremost Bathroom manufacturers including; Villeroy & Boch, Hansgrohe and Huppe shower enclosures.

We offer a free consultation service to measure the existing area, or design from your architect’s plans. Your new bathroom can then be delivered on a supply only basis, or if you prefer, we can co-ordinate the installation for you! At BATHROOM STUDIO we are confident that your requirements can be tailored to a budget that suits you...so why not visit your local showroom to see the latest designs?

Opening hours are Mon - Sat 10am - 5.30pm

www.bathroomstudio.com

Branches at: BRENTWOOD Unit 1 The Keys Eagle Way, Brentwood CM13 1BP TEL: 01277 222426

CHELMSFORD Units 3-4 Springfield Basin Wharf Road, Chelmsford Essex. CM2 6YQ TEL: 01245 356066 (Next to Mack Hairdressers)

SAWBRIDGEWORTH SHOWROOM Units O&P The Maltings, Station Road, Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire CM21 9JX. Tel: 01279 725 474

OP JUS EN T ED !

UPMINSTER 10 Moor Lane Upminster Essex. RM14 1EB TEL: 01708 641410

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Emerson Park £1,299,500

Situated in a most sought after location within Emerson Park is this fully detached 5 bedroom family house, set in a walled and gated plot of 0.382 of an acre. The property has been carefully improved and tastefully decorated throughout by its present owners and is highly recommended for an internal viewing.

Hornchurch Office (01708) 474034

Emerson Park VIEW ON

BTV

Price £1,295,000

Unique fully detached Georgian Colonial style family residence situated in a private road set within the heart of the Emerson Park Estate. Benefiting from a generous road frontage of 96 ft and being set well back from other properties. The property occupies 0.319 of an acre and has a totally secluded west facing garden of 91 ft.

View our properties on TV at

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Hornchurch Office (01708) 474034

Offices throughout Essex, Greater and Central London

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Emerson Park Price £1,000,000

Situated in one of Emerson Park’s premier roads is this character fully detached family residence.

Master bedroom with en suite bathroom and dressing area, guest bedroom with en suite, 2 further double bedrooms and bathroom. Study, drawing room, dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, utility room and sun room.

Hornchurch Office (01708) 474034

Ingatestone VIEW ON

BTV

Price £1,550,000

Set within an established plot of approx 3.17 acres (stls) including lake, plus formal and informal gardens. 3 receptions, kitchen/breakfast room, utility, conservatory, ground floor cloakroom, first floor bathroom, 5 bedrooms (2 with en suites), games room, detached triple garage. Situated within the Anglo European school catchment area.

View our properties on TV at

www.beresfords.tv

Ingatestone Office (01277) 350505

Offices throughout Essex, Greater and Central London

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Blackmore Price ÂŁ350,000

This pretty cottage style detached home with courtyard style rear garden, garage and ample parking facilities to the front, offers excellent potential to extend (subject to planning permission). Benefiting from lounge/diner, kitchen/breakfast room, 2 bedrooms and ground floor bathroom. Offered with no onward chain.

Ingatestone Office (01277) 350505

Hutton Mount VIEW ON

BTV

Price On Application

Standing in an impressive 0.5 of an acre plot is this 5 bedroom detached family house extended and refurbished by the current owners to provide good size living accommodation. Within easy reach of Shenfield Broadway and mainline railway station. Spacious reception hall leads to 3 reception rooms and kitchen/breakfast/family room. 5 bedrooms, 2 with en suite and family bathroom.

View our properties on TV at

www.beresfords.tv

Shenfield Office (01277) 212111

OfďŹ ces throughout Essex, Greater and Central London

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Hutton Mount Price on Application

Situated in this private residential estate is this impressive 6 bedroom house in 0.6 acre with superb 243' rear garden. The property boasts superb bespoke fitted kitchen/family room, 4 receptions, 4 en suite bathrooms fitted with contemporary modern sanitary ware and underfloor heating, family bathroom, 90' wide frontage with carriage driveway, double garage with spiral wine cellar.

Shenfield Office (01277) 212111

Hutton Mount VIEW ON

BTV

Price ÂŁ1,275,000

Originally constructed in 1992 is this attractive imposing 5 bedroom family residence standing in 0.26 of an acre with wide frontage including a detached double garage. The spacious accommodation includes 4 reception rooms, 2 en suites, country style fitted kitchen open plan to an attractive Edwardian style conservatory and separate utility room. Offered for sale with the added benefit of no onward chain.

View our properties on TV at

www.beresfords.tv

Shenfield Office (01277) 212111

OfďŹ ces throughout Essex, Greater and Central London

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Shenfield Price On Application

Charming detached house situated in a sought after cul-de-sac location within Old Shenfield close to the Broadway with its mainline railway link to London Liverpool Street. 2 reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room, cloakroom, 5 bedrooms, 1 with en suite bathroom and family bathroom.

Spacious rear garden with an integral garage and driveway to the front.

Shenfield Office (01277) 212111

Upminster VIEW ON

BTV

Price ÂŁ1,450,000

Constructed in 2007 by Rydon Homes, a substantial residence forming part of an exclusive gated development. 5 bedrooms, 4 with en suites, master bedroom with twin dressing areas, luxury family bathroom, spacious reception hall and galleried landing, ground floor cloakroom/WC. 5 reception rooms, luxury kitchen, conservatory, ground floor shower room and double garage.

View our properties on TV at

www.beresfords.tv

Upminster Office (01708) 222200

OfďŹ ces throughout Essex, Greater and Central London

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Paying too much for heating?

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www.beresfordsgroup.co.uk

Upminster Price £999,995

Detached executive home which has been extended and refurbished to an exceptionally high standard.

Within easy reach of the town centre, station and Parklands lake and nature reserve. Impressive lounge, dining room and superb fitted kitchen. 4 bedrooms, the master with dressing room and en suite bathroom/shower room. Integral garage with carriage drive and landscaped garden.

Upminster Office (01708) 222200

Upminster VIEW ON

BTV

Price £690,000

Located at the end of a private gated drive in excess of 100 ft is this 3 bedroom detached family home set within approx. 0.75 of an acre of impressive grounds. Internally the property comprises 2 reception rooms, kitchen and utility room, 3 double bedrooms the master having an en suite.

Detached double garage and detached timber constructed outbuilding.

View our properties on TV at

www.beresfords.tv

Upminster Office (01708) 222200

Offices throughout Essex, Greater and Central London

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www.beresfordsgroup.co.uk

Writtle Price £745,000

This recently completed detached 5 bedroom family home has been constructed to the design of a period property. There are some superb features, including spacious reception hall with oak staircase.

The layout of the accommodation is exceptionally versatile, and externally the long own driveway leads to garage with home office at the rear. Landscaped garden overlooks the adjacent pond.

Writtle Office (01245) 420880

Roxwell VIEW ON

BTV

Price £690,000

Situated in one of Roxwell's most prestigious cul-de-sacs, is this 5 bedroom detached property which has been modernised throughout with superb features. 2 receptions, family size kitchen/ dining room, utility room, ground floor shower/wc, en suite shower room to bed 3 and impressive family bathroom.

Integral garage and rear garden backing onto open farmland.

View our properties on TV at

www.beresfords.tv

Writtle Office (01245) 420880

Offices throughout Essex, Greater and Central London

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www.beresfordsgroup.co.uk

Stock Price £7,500 pcm

Located on a prestigious development in the village of Stock, is this spacious home with quality fixtures and fittings throughout. Modern fitted kitchen, utility room, family room, dining room, study, lounge with vaulted ceiling and balcony over rear garden. 6 bedrooms 3 with en suites.

Externally there is a drive with garage and landscaped gardens.

Billericay Lettings (01277) 658666

Great Leighs VIEW ON

BTV

Price £1,750 pcm

Detached 3 bedroom character property situated in the popular location of Great Leighs. This rare property benefits from 4 reception rooms, 2 bathrooms, master bedroom with en suite, fitted kitchen with appliances, parking for several cars and a well kept large garden with gardener included in the rental amount.

View our properties on TV at

www.beresfords.tv

Braintree Lettings (01376) 348666

Offices throughout Essex, Greater and Central London

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www.beresfordsgroup.co.uk

Brentwood Price £2,950 pcm

Well presented 5 bedroom house situated on the corner of Hanging Hill Lane and Ridgeway with accommodation comprising large kitchen/breakfast room with appliances, study, dining room, playroom/television room, 5 double bedrooms, 2 en suites, family bathroom, double garage, driveway parking for 4 cars and lawned rear garden.

Brentwood Lettings (01277) 218151

Mashbury VIEW ON

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Price £2000 pcm

A superb 4 bedroom detached barn conversion set within a large garden and parking area and is surrounded by open farmland. There is also a 3 bay carport, annexe flat which provides an additional home office. Internal inspection is recommended to appreciate the character of this desirable home.

This property comes unfurnished.

View our properties on TV at

www.beresfords.tv

Chelmsford Lettings (01245) 500666

Offices throughout Essex, Greater and Central London

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www.beresfordsgroup.co.uk

T LE

d ire qu s re ant n es rti l te a pe ro ion r p ss ila rofe m Si or p f

BY

West Bergholt Price £1,150 pcm

A detached family home situated to the north side of Colchester in the ever popular village of West Bergholt. The village offers good access to local shops and amenities as well as Colchester’s mainline railway station. The property benefits from having a lounge, separate dining room and study, en suite to master bedroom, 3 further bedrooms, family bathroom and double garage.

Colchester Lettings (01206) 763333

Gidea Park VIEW ON

BTV

Price£2,950 pcm

A stunning executive family home situated in a secluded setting within Gidea Park. Accommodation comprises lounge, conservatory, dining room, games room, utility room, downstairs cloakroom, kitchen/breakfast room, 5 bedrooms with en suite to 2 of the bedrooms, large family bathroom with additional benefits including a heated swimming pool.

View our properties on TV at

www.beresfords.tv

Havering Lettings (01708) 222211

Offices throughout Essex, Greater and Central London

Ash & Embers new design:Layout 1

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From contemporary designs to traditional styles woodburning to gas... www.ashandembers.com THE COACH HOUSE Market Place, Abridge, RM4 1UA, 01992 815972 LONDON OFFICE PO Box 64922, E4 0BZ 0333 600 1250

Beresfords Editorial_v2:amended

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35 YEARS AND STILL SOLD ON PROPERTY! April this year saw Paul Beresford clock up 35 years with the firm. Having originally joined the first office in Upminster, he has steered the Company from a one office practice into one of the largest independent regional companies in the country. roperty has always been a passion for me and I still enjoy being out at the sharp end, particularly when it comes to meeting clients and carrying out valuations. I think because the business is about people, about helping and supporting them through some of the most important decisions in their lives, we have, as estate agents, to be mindful of all the stress that moving home can involve and do everything in our power to reduce this to the absolute minimum.

Over the years, I believe Beresfords have earned a name for professionalism, customer service and integrity, that we value greatly. How have we achieved this? Firstly, by ensuring that we only ever recruit

All of us here at Beresfords live in the areas we serve. We bump into clients all the time – it is very important to do a good job! Ultimately, the only way to raise standards across the board is to introduce tighter controls and even licensing.

Unlike many other agents, all our managers and directors must be members of a recognised professional body. We also encourage all other staff to join. Investment and training, together with retention of established teams is a major factor in our success and gives great confidence to our clients.

P

Paul Beresford FNAEA

One of the biggest problems with our industry is that practically anyone can set themselves up as an agent, without any experience, training, or professional qualifications. When you think that we are dealing with people’s most valuable assets, this is a really unacceptable situation. Ultimately, the only way to raise standards across the board is to introduce tighter controls and even licensing. Meanwhile, if you want real peace of mind, then you need to choose an agent that is well-established, has a first-class reputation and is a member firm of one of the industry’s recognised professional bodies such as the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) or the Association of Residential Lettings Agents (ARLA).

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the very best people; people who share our passion. Then we do everything in our power to ensure that they stay – because in a people business, continuity of staffing is hugely important. We do this by emphasising ongoing professional training and career development.

As a company we are very proud of the longevity of our team members.

First-class, well-trained and motivated staff are part of a very important business equation. However,

an agent also needs to be very innovative in their approach to marketing. Back in 1994, we were the first agents to use colour advertising.

More recently, we became the very first agents

in the country to launch our own internet TV site. Beresfords TV has become a major marketing tool for our clients across the marketplace, showcasing properties alongside specially made features on particular aspects of living and working in the area.

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For our clients, it shows that we are lifting property marketing onto a new and altogether higher plane. At the same time, we also remain

Traditional values, an innovative marketing approach and the dedication of our highly experienced staff means that we are in a privileged position to be selling and letting some of the finest homes in the County.

committed to those traditional marketing tools that are proven to be effective. Our website is obviously hugely important, but so too are the print media.

This is particularly important at the top end of the market. Many of our successful sales and lets are generated through quality local, regional and national advertising – those buyers and tenants would not have been forthcoming if the press adverts hadn’t captivated their interest.

A major benefit to our clients is that their property will not only be marketed by their local branch, but also through Beresfords network of offices which cover Essex, into Greater and Central London and up to the Suffolk boarders. Analysing our clients moving patterns shows that over sixty per cent are moving within the same area. However, over thirty per cent are ‘migrating’ into Essex from London itself or its suburbs. At Beresfords we take full advantage of this by having direct access to all the applicants at our branches outside the local area.

Although we are always looking at ways to move the company and industry forward, we will never lose sight of traditional Estate Agent values. Everything we do is focussed on our clients and our service levels to them.

We are one of the only Agents in the area to open on Sundays and it works. A comment from a recent purchaser was:

“We only came into Braintree to buy cushions and ended up buying a house thanks to Beresfords being open!”

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Beresfords Editorial_v2:amended

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SPOTLIGHT

...on two of the finest properties currently available for sale in the County ew Tree Farm is an exquisite timber framed Grade II Listed family house believed to date from 1640 and is set within beautiful moated gardens and grounds approaching 1 acre (stls). The property is located in a delightful rural setting in Navestock Heath, with far reaching views across open countryside towards the River Roding Valley.

Y

The entrance to the property is from a gravelled driveway and opens into the entrance vestibule with flagstone floor. From here access leads to the principle reception rooms with feature exposed timbers and a magnificent crucifix design exposed

42 winter

brickwork chimney breast with open hearths in both rooms.

The kitchen/breakfast room is located at the rear of the property and enjoys pleasant views over the garden and fields beyond. Extensively fitted by Clive Christian, the kitchen boasts a substantial number of cupboards and drawers complimented by granite and solid wood work surfaces. An adjacent dining room also features fitted furniture by Christians including dresser unit concealing a remote control flat-screen television.

To the far end of the ground floor is a most impressive television room with vaulted ceiling, fitted

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Opposite page: Yew Tree Farm This page: Highview Hall

book case by Christians and French doors opening to the garden.

Upstairs is an impressive master bedroom with triple aspect views and luxuriously fitted en suite dressing room and bathroom. There are three further bedrooms, one having en suite shower, and a family bathroom off the main landing.

Within the grounds there is a brick built potential annexe with planning permission granted in 2005 to redevelop into an auxiliary building with pool complex set within the contour of the grounds thus creating superb leisure facilities.

Highview Hall is a most fabulous newly built Country House enjoying stunning views over the Blackwater Estuary and is situated in Tolleshunt Major.

Extending to over 10,000 sq ft the property has been built to an extremely high standard and all rooms are of generous proportions with good ceiling heights.

The master bedroom has an en suite bathroom, dressing room and a staircase leading to a study.

All of the remaining six bedrooms have en suite bath or shower rooms, designed by Nicholas Anthony, as was the kitchen with central island that incorporates many integrated appliances such as a six burner hob, two conventional ovens, microwave oven, two dishwashers, two refrigerators and two freezers.

One of the major selling points of this stunning property is that it has been built to take full advantage of the setting, and offers unrivalled panoramic views to the south over open farmland to the Blackwater Estuary. In all the grounds extend to approximately five acres.

Yew Tree Farm is currently on the market for £2.45 million and Highview Hall is price on application.

Further details on these properties can be found on our websites www.beresfordsgroup.co.uk, and www.beresfords.tv winter

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Le Mans Autumn OTB:Master

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LIVING

THE BOYHOOD DREAM Motoring’s Kevin Haggarthy travels to the Le Mans 24 Hour Race – the world’s oldest endurance race – as a special guest of Jaguar at their Le Mans GT2 debut

or many of us, there is often just one special sporting event we feel compelled to attend in our lives. It can be something as challenging as participating in the London Marathon, to being a spectator at the Wimbledon finals, or attending a World Cup football event. For car buffs though, it is one thing and one thing only; attending the Le Mans 24 hrs.

F

The 24 Hours of Le Mans (in French its 24 Heures du Mans) is the world's oldest endurance sports car race, held annually since 1923 near the town of Le Mans in France. It is 24 hours of gruelling racing, and an equal challenge for car and driver alike. Many of the cars we see racing at Le Mans in the GT Class, look identical to those we can buy in our showrooms, thus the race becomes a perfect marketing and publicity tool for manufacturers.

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Every year, thousands of people descend on the famous Le Mans circuit for the European motoring calendar’s spectacle event. If you are doubtful about attending, don’t be, for it is a truly spectacular occasion, and my advice to you would be ‘just do it.’

For many racing devotees, Le Mans is almost a religious commitment in their social calendar; it begins with the long 350 mile drive down to the event itself, alongside many other enthusiasts.

Step two is the setting up your tent when you get there, (yes, most people camp on the site) and the rest involves two days of just soaking up the atmosphere.

SPECIAL INVITATION But even that cannot beat an invitation to join a team actually participating in the event, so you can imagine

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Main Image: Jaguar’s Le Mans GT2 offering in action on the track. Inset from left: Jaguar’s latest medium-sized luxury saloon, the XFR, which was used to cruise down to the race

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Main Image: Competitors line up on the track during the Le Mans 24 hour race 2010. Below from left: Rocketsports Racing’s Jaguar GT2 qualified 15th for the main event; a spectacular air display over the pit lane of Le Mans

our delight at receiving such an invitation from Jaguar to join them as their guests for their Le Mans GT2 debut.

And what better way to do so than to head to Le Mans in Jaguar’s latest top, medium-sized luxury saloon, the Jaguar XFR. Its supercharged 5.0L direct-injection V-8 develops some 510 bhp, and achieves 60 mph in under five seconds; a car that has already proved itself by outgunning the mighty 500 bhp BMW M5 in testing.

MOBILE MOTOR SHOW Driving down to Le Mans is like participating in a mobile motor show. If you’re driving an interesting car (like ‘my’ XFR) you are constantly stared at, or given the ‘thumbs up’ – especially being British. There are so many Brits attending that you wouldn’t be blamed for thinking Le Mans is a British race held in France.

Just about every other Le Mans junkie has an interesting set of wheels, and you’ll find them catching up, or holding back, on those long, boring, but fast motorways, to feast their eyes on someone else’s car.

My XFR was getting a fair bit of attention too, so on just the one occasion (honest) I floored it and wow!

It left all of those hot GT’s for dead. The Dr Jeckyll in me lied that I was just testing the car on pickup and acceleration, but the Mr Hyde knew I was being naughty and wanted to entertain the masses.

To be frank, I just couldn’t get over how good the XFR was at overtaking – everything. This car has seriously big cruising speeds and massive overtaking prowess, its power speaking volumes where it counts.

A brief reflective period (Dr Jeckyll’s back again) suggested that I just may end up spending the weekend with the French Gendarmerie in a nice warm prison cell rather than enjoying Jaguar’s excellent hospitality; somehow that would have defeated the object. Nevertheless, it says a lot about ➛

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Radiator Gallery 244x297:Layout 1

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For the widest choice of

designer radiators

Call or visit our showroom to find out more about our exciting ranges:

140 Hermon Hill, South Woodford, London, E18 1QH Tel: 0800 055 6450 or 0208 530 7555 Fax: 0208 530 8844 www.theradiatorgallery.com Email: Sales@theradiatorgallery.com

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the capability of the XF – it simply eats journeys like this for breakfast.

COUNTRY BASKING Speaking of breakfast, I felt even more grateful for my brief spell of sanity when seated for an excellent breakfast spread at the Châteaux Coulans, Coulans-sur-Gee, where we stayed. Each of the bedrooms were as big as my house, and my room was haunted, but what better way to prelude the noise, buzz, and excitement of Le Mans than this...

Day One - the Friday - was the Supercar Parade through the local town; a magnificent cavalcade of some of the greatest cars the world has known.

Yours truly had the privilege of driving the Le Mans winning XK140 behind an original LMP1 class winner, in a special parade to mark Jaguar’s 75th Anniversary.

Day Two was Race Day, and Jaguar kindly organised for us to be chauffeured to the event in the very latest Jaguar XJ Saloon. Having just sampled some three hundred miles plus behind the wheel of the excellent XF, this surprising chauffeur-driven ride in the back of the XJ sealed a confident sense of optimism about Jaguar and its future. This is a company that only just weathered the recession, and is now coming back mighty credibly on the strength of its class-leading products alone – what better way to do it than that?

48 winter

ROCKETSPORTS RACING Rocketsports Racing was founded in 1985 by my long-time buddy and friend, racing driver Paul Gentilozzi, to compete in the Trans-Am series.

Rocketsports competed in Trans-Am until 2004, when the championship was cancelled, and achieved 57 outright wins in 20 years. It has also raced in the IMSA sports car racing championship. In 2010, Jaguar announced the company would enter the 2010 24 Hours of Le Mans with the JaguarRSR XKR GT2, built by Rocketsports Racing, so it was with great anticipation that we attended the event.

So how did our Jaguar fare in qualifying?

Well here’s what the press release said:

LE MANS, FRANCE (JUNE 11, 2010) “The second and third qualifying sessions for the Le Mans 24 Hours saw the JaguarRSR team make valuable improvements from Wednesday.

Drivers Ryan Dalziel, Paul Gentilozzi and Marc Goossens had adequate time behind the wheel and gains were made in time.

Le Mans rookie Dalziel recorded the #81 JaguarRSR XKR GT2’s fastest lap of 4:12.431 minutes, putting it 15th in class.”

Clockwise from left: After an improved performance in the second and third qualifying sessions, Jaguar’s GT2 entry secured 15th place on the grid; heading into the pit lane during qualifying; engine management problems led to early retirement from the race

Ok, so only 15th on the grid, but at least we qualified.

A great time was spent talking to Paul and his team about the car and its development; complex stuff.

The car is still in its development stages and was beset by engine management problems from the start of the race, unfortunately leading to an early retirement.

But that’s racing, and you have to be big enough to take it.

But hey, we had a truly great time, it was good to see Jaguar back at Le Mans, and the British crowd simply loved its presence there. On the return journey I spread my little green Jaguar flag, that had been handed out to the crowds, across the back window of the XFR in tribute to the Jaguar team. The XFR proceeded to eat up the miles on the journey home, in a time that would put an equivalent train journey to shame. 750 miles of hard driving and the XFR didn’t miss a beat, yet it took the journey with such commanding high speed authority, leaving me refreshed and relaxed behind the wheel. Come home Jaguar, all is forgiven, your road cars are proving that you will live to fight another day.

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Alexander James OTB:Master

6/12/10

Main image: Attention to detail is key for Caroline Rogers when achieving the stylish sophistication required for this show home in Weybridge. Inset: Caroline Rogers at work in her studio

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Alexander James OTB:Master

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IMPROVEMENT Alexander James’ Associate Design Director, Caroline Rogers, talks styles, spaces, and the ultimate design sin!

Words: Chris Peck

f the wonder of television has taught us anything in the past twenty years, it’s that as a nation our style stinks. If we’re not being told what not to wear, then we’re being shown how to look good naked. However, of all these style focused shows, few have managed to capture the nation’s imagination to quite the extent of the BBC’s Changing Rooms.

I

Seeing a trained (and occasionally eccentric) design professional enter an average home and transform a dowdy terraced house, dusted with a liberal sprinkling of tacky commemorative plates, into a replica of the Sistine Chapel was unlike anything the viewing public had seen before. Of course, for many people the real pleasure of the show was the big reveal of the finished space – or more specifically – the prospect that the home owner would be reduced to a trembling mass of tears and fury.

Caroline Rogers explains; “Your ultimate goal, professionally, when embarking on any project for a client is to be able to create something that fulfils their brief.”

This is a comforting thought given the often blasé attitude displayed towards clients’ tastes by some of the TV interior designers of yesteryear. However Rogers’ obvious desire to create beautifully designed living spaces, which realise dreams rather than evoking nightmares, is indicative of the ethos and approach she and her colleagues employ in all their interior designs.

As a key player for the exclusive and highly regarded Alexander James Interior Design, Rogers is at the top of her game and oversees every element of a project from start to finish. But, unlike the rapid transformations performed on Changing Rooms, Rogers’ success didn’t just happen overnight and it certainly wasn’t all glitz and glamour in the early days as she remembers; “I started out as a junior designer mostly making tea and ordering samples for a small showhome interior design company.”

Who doesn’t secretly wish that occasionally someone would become so enraged that their reclining chair and plasma TV had been replaced by a chaise longue in the shape of a Canadian snow goose, that they would spontaneously burst into flames?

“After a year I moved on and went to a retail interiors company where I first started working with private clients. Two years later I joined Alexander James where I started as a Designer for private clients and also show homes. Eight years on I am still here and have gradually moved up the ladder, to where I am now; the Associate Design Director.”

Fortunately, in the real world, the work of an interior designer is considerably more measured. Nothing is left to chance, and clients are consulted every step of the way, through what is a sophisticated and often painstaking process. Interior designer extraordinaire,

Having reached the pinnacle of interior design and being a respected figure in her field, it would be easy to think that her clients would be more willing to listen to her opinions and advice in trying to fulfil their design dreams. However, as Rogers jovially

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Alexander James OTB:Master

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Clockwise from right: Neutral colours and stand out features create an elegant and relaxed ambiance in this Cobham dining room; a mirrored desk creates an eye-catching and modern feature; Rogers’ distinct style continues in this Esher sitting room

admits, this isn’t always the case, and sometimes dissuading people from making disastrous choices is part of the territory; "Yes, it does happen.

Sometimes it can be difficult as it’s their home and if their heart is set on something they love and you think it’s awful then it can be hard to get them to change their mind.”

Equally, some design requests create challenges purely due to their obscurity. Reflecting on a particular scenario with baffled amusement Rogers recalls; “I was once asked to source a propeller for a couple who loved sailing so they could hang it on their wall!”

Given the absolute attention to detail that goes into each and every project, it understandably couldn’t be condensed into a half hour TV show a la Changing Rooms, but how long does a project of such magnitude actually take? The designer’s reply is matter of fact: “It depends how big a house is really.

If it’s needed urgently we can turn it all around in four weeks, but ideally a bit longer. A lot of the time, items like fabrics and furniture are out of stock which is always a pain.”

To provide a sense of perspective as to just how big some of the houses can actually be, Rogers describes

52 winter

one of her more demanding projects; “I did two houses in St Georges Hill, Weybridge, which were enormous - 18,000 sq ft. The rooms were so big and there were so many of them that it was a challenge to make them all look different and to fill all the space.”

Ultimately, when done well, interior design can add significant extra value to a home, so what helpful hints can Rogers provide to those looking to transform their own homes and create a lasting look of stylish sophistication? “Styles do change pretty frequently. Shabby chic seems to still be really popular with the painted furniture look.

The colour pewter is also popular at the moment.”

As Rogers stresses though, much like high fashion, interior styles do have a tendency to change with regularity, so how does one avoid the pitfall of adopting a style that will almost certainly change?

With effortless simplicity the dynamic designer provides the perfect answer;” I would stick to classic neutral pieces of furniture and then you can just change the accessory pieces like cushions as and when styles and colours change.”

The pleasure and enthusiasm with which Rogers dispenses this invaluable advice exemplifies the obvious passion she has for her work – a passion

which she happily takes home with her as she explains her constant desire to change the interior of her own home; “I would do it monthly if I could afford it. I am always wanting to change pieces as I’m always seeing new and lovely things at work.

I mostly just change accessories…quite often.”

So aside from constantly changing the style of her own home, does Rogers have her ambitious eyes on anywhere else that she believes could use a touch of her makeover magic? With the slightest hint of mischief she reveals; “I would like to revamp The Ritz, I love its Englishness, but I think it could do with an update.”

As a final gesture before rushing off to oversee her next high profile design project, Rogers is happy to offer a final piece of advice to steer people away from committing the ultimate interior design crime.

“Avacado bathroom suites... the 1980s was a bad time for interior design!”

Roger Green & Co_OTB USED:Layout 1

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ARE YOU LOOKING FOR LEGAL SERVICES, ADVICE OR REPRESENTATION? Roger Green and Company are a partnership of solicitors offering a wide range of conveyancing and financial advice for private individuals, families and the commercial sector • Sales and purchases for both freehold and leasehold

• Lettings and Tenancy Agreements

• Insolvency

• Landlord and Tenant issues

• Commercial transactions

• Transfer of ownership between owners

• Finance Reclaim

• Civil litigation

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Telephone: 01277 659441 Fax: 01277 630596 Website: www.rogergreensolicitors.co.uk Email: enquiries@rogergreensolicitors.co.uk Roger Green and Company, Foxcroft, 100 High Street, Billericay, Essex CM12 9BY

RogerGreen&Co Solicitors

Paul Smith_Master OTB:Master

8/11/10

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PAUL SMITH MORE THAN JUST A NAME

With the launch of his brand new Junior collection, we talk to one of Britain’s most successful designers, whose ‘classic with a twist’ style remains a firm favourite, more than thirty years after its inception.

Words: Fiona Collins

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Paul Smith_Master OTB:Master

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Born to working class parents in the town of Beeston, just south of Nottingham, Smith left school at 15 to begin work at a local fabric warehouse. The job was not undertaken as an early calling to the fashion industry, but rather was borne of necessity. Having struggled with formal schooling, Smith needed to fund an altogether more energetic ambition. aul Smith is one of those designer brand names, so universally known and yet so quintessentially English, that one might well wonder - or those at least for whom fashion is not a first language whether Paul Smith is indeed a person, or in fact a prosaic marketing name dreamt up to reflect the Britishness of a brand which prides itself on its stylish, sharply tailored, and very wearable clothing lines.

P

Yet Smith, or Sir Paul as he has become known since his knighthood in 2000, is very much more than just a name. Born in Nottingham in 1946, Smith is as hard working as his own label, which now enjoys wholesale success in more than 35 countries worldwide. Whilst perhaps lacking some of the artistic pretentions of his more flamboyant designer counterparts, it is Smith’s grounded, businesslike and entrepreneurial approach to fashion that has seen his empire flourish.

“The secret to success is keeping your feet on the ground,” Sir Paul says firmly. “Accountants should be trained to see both sides of the picture; finance and creativity.” With his credentials as a businessman (his brand has an annual turnover of more than

£340 million), Smith has always kept a sensible head on his statuesque shoulders, and has never let creativity impede sound judgement.

“The Paul Smith way started innocently, and came about because of my love of craftsmanship, tradition and Britishness, but also my love of humour,” he says.

“Because of this, ‘classic with a twist’ was born, and now it is a very over-used phrase, but still very relevant today.”

Indeed, in Smith’s latest collection, classically-cut khaki checked jackets are paired with red and purple chequered trousers and dramatic, overly-tall bowler hats, in a style described as “an elegant, detailed collection that references the modern bohemian gentlemen.”

One might well use the same phrase to describe Smith himself.

“I aspired as a teenager to be a professional racing cyclist,” says Smith, who at the time was clocking up to 300 miles a week as part of a rigorous training regime. “The dream was shattered after a bad accident when I was 17.” In truth, the ‘bad accident’ was a horrifying smash with a car, which left Smith with such acute injuries that he was hospitalised for six months, and resulted in him being unable to bend his leg sufficiently to pedal a bicycle. “But to be honest I don’t think I would have succeeded (as a cyclist), as I was not brave enough or strong enough,” says Smith pragmatically. He is – perhaps understandably not bitter about the hand that fate dealt him.

Opposite page: Sir Paul Smith; the man behind the name; Above from left; Autumn Winter 2010: Khaki check jacket, fish hook print shirt, purple shadow check trousers; Prussian blue two button suit, white shirt; Pale grey knitted shawl collar coat, camel crew knit, grey flannel trousers

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During his recuperation, Smith "discovered the English pub” and it was here that he “met a lot of people that were at the local college of fashion and art, and that’s what got me into fashion design.”

At the height of the swinging sixties, Smith moved to London and met Pauline Denyer, a fashion graduate from London’s Royal College of Art, whom he credits with guiding and inspiring him throughout his career (the pair finally married in 2000). Following evening tailoring classes, Smith joined Lincroft Kilgour in Savile Row, where he began to forge his early reputation as a stylish menswear designer. In 1970, with the help of Denyer, Smith finally opened his own store in his hometown of Nottingham.

His designs then, just as they are today, were inspired by the playful dandyness of that era; beautifully cut, tall, lean suits with characteristically cheeky detail such as lime green trimmings, floral linings and intricately woven maps of London on the interiors.

Or androgynous looking, vivid pink suits finished with bright red linings and bowler hats, which he designed for his Spring / Summer 2010 Congoinspired collection. Without ever quite crossing the line into the ‘un-wearable’ realms of haut couture, it is this cheerful individuality, which has been so key to Smith’s enduring success.

“The fashion industry today is more competitive than ever,” Smith says. “Especially with the addition of e-commerce sites and low cost high street brands that follow catwalk designs very closely. It’s so important to have a real character to your brand; in our case it is reliability, continuity and always easy to wear clothes, but with a sense of humour.”

Above from left: Brown Harris tweed jacket, pleated donegal wool corset dress, curved leather saddle belt, tweed flat cap, cashmere fingerless gloves and leather roll top boots; Black and pink organza water roses print fitted dress, black leather small Maggie bag, cashmere fingerless gloves and leather Mary Janes; Lilac felted wool circular dress, wide webbing belt and knee-high leather boots

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By the early eighties, Smith had already begun to expand his business, and had successfully opened two stores in London. But it was his invitation to Japan in 1982, at the hands of a local licensing scout, that really launched Paul Smith as a global brand.

At the height of the eighties fashion explosion in Japan, at a time when many European designers “looked at the country as something of a cash cow”, Smith took the time to get to know its fashion industry from the inside out.

Speaking in an earlier interview, Smith said of the experience: “I was young and very keen. I'd make visits to the factory several times a year, which I believe was key to our success. I also designed pieces for the Japanese market from scratch; they were getting pure ‘Paul Smith’."

The first Paul Smith store opened in Tokyo in 1984, and after early teething problems, the Japanese brand became so successful that Smith is now Europe’s biggest selling designer in the country, with sales from Japan alone accounting for half his brand’s annual sales. Smith’s iconic status in the country meant that doors were flung open for him in Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore, Thailand and China.

Closer to home, Smith’s brand was growing too, with ranges of shoes, fragrances, watches, pens,

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furniture, rugs, china and spectacles all bearing his name. Ultimately, in 1994, Smith finally – if somewhat reluctantly – branched into womenswear.

“Women would ask, ‘Could you do men's clothes to fit us?’ But that wasn't really the truth,” he says.

“They claimed they wanted just men's clothes, but then they'd say, ‘We need a skirt.’ ‘Can we have a dress?’” In the end, Smith played to his strengths and concentrated on tailored suits, coats and shirts, while an assistant designed the dresses and skirts.

They still work this way today.

Which brings us to the present. The sub context for my interview today is the launch of Paul Smith’s latest venture; his brand new ‘Paul Smith Junior’ collection, which is available from the end of August.

With cheeky young models, and cheerfully coloured fabrics, Junior succeeds in being both playful and fun, whilst retaining Smith’s trademark love of classic cut and line.

Clockwise from above: Paul Smith Junior range 2010: Mack wears a corduroy jacket, long sleeve t.shirt and jeans, Calypso wears a corduroy skirt, tights and cardigan; Willow in classic Paul Smith shorts, with shirt and fair isle cardigan; Finn shows off Junior’s ‘preppy’ look, with curduroy jacket, shirt and jeans

But the collection is “not about mini-me adults” as Smith puts it. “It’s more about taking the spirit of what I do for men and women,” says Smith.

“For instance, on a boy’s striped shirt there will always be a little secret that one day he will notice, like the inside of the cuff will be a different colour. For girls, it will be picking up on colours from the women’s

collection – maybe literally one of the prints, or maybe just the feeling of the print.

“Junior is about very simple styling with the boys clothes, leaning towards more of a preppy look, and the girls; slightly more fashionable, easy to wear, but definitely not urban or rock.”

At 64, Simth’s enthusiasm and verve for his fashion empire is as strong as ever, and three decades at the top of this notoriously fickle industry have done nothing to dim the integrity of his mission. “What I want with the business is for it to retain its character and have a heart; a business which is down to earth.”

Smith is the embodiment of his own aspiration.

“I once read an obituary where a man was remembered for living ‘a clean and honest life and having had a sense of humour’ – I think that sounds quite nice!”

Paul Smith Junior will be available in stores from the end of August 2010. For more information visit: www.paulsmith.co.uk/collections/paul-smith-junior

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Mark Hellyar - Chateau Civrac OTB:Layout 1

Grapes are handpicked at Chateau Civrac, where a natural approach to winemaking is strictly adhered to

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CHATEAU CIVRAC HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE The West Country is not known for its winemakers, but Cornishman Mark Hellyar has set about redressing the balance, and has travelled to Bordeaux to follow a lifelong dream, as we discover.

Words: Chris Peck

he great Ernest Hemingway once said that “Wine is the most civilized thing in the world." Clearly he’d never seen a rowdy hen night at closing time in Yates’s wine lodge on a Friday night. However, despite this exception, he does make an interesting point. A good wine is a thing of beauty.

It is a living entity which grows in flavour and changes with age, and has a wonderful ability to elevate and complement food.

T

Like people, a good wine has individuality; a personality made up of subtle nuances of colour, aroma and flavour which differentiate it from its peers, so that every label you sample has its own unique qualities. Wine is liquid elegance – the sophisticated dinner guest that is always welcome.

As a nation, our enduring relationship with wine is evident in the £15 billion which UK consumers spend on it each year, but how many of us could claim to love it enough to give up a successful career in the pursuit of producing a wine of their own?

While, in most cases, such a dramatic change in lifestyle would serve to raise only eyebrows, Mark has instead been raising glasses, as some of the most discerning palates in the world pour praise on his new Claret, Chateau Civrac.

Step forward Cornishman Mark Hellyar, a man with such enthusiasm for wine that he elected to leave his successful I.T. career to transform a neglected 18th century chateau in Bordeaux and go into the winemaking business for himself.

But what makes Hellyar’s story all the more impressive, is that he embarked on his Claret crusade with virtually no experience. “I’d had an interest in fine wine for about 15 years and was lucky enough to work in a job that took me to some of the best wine making areas of the world,” says Hellyar. “I believed that I knew quite a bit about the science and had a good idea of what I wanted to make. Actually, I soon realised that I knew very little.”

So was this the choice of a man with a plan, or had Mark perhaps had one glass too many?

Mark smiles wryly as he explains, “I would say that it was a carefully thought through career decision.

Sarah, my wife, would say it was a mid-life crisis.

Probably somewhere between the two is true!”

With realisation that enthusiasm and a good palate would not be sufficient to achieve his goal, Hellyar sought some expert advice. But, to succeed in producing something truly original in Bordeaux, this meant finding someone who shared his own forward thinking and rebellious tendencies.

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Left: Cornishman Mark Hellyar now supplies wine to some of the UK’s top restaurants

“Bordeaux is an extremely traditional and cautious region. It’s very hard to be innovative. However, being a maverick has allowed me to question many of the traditional views and has allowed me to have a wider view on the style of wine I wanted to make.

“Making good wine is all about passion. You have to have it because it’s extremely hard work, has little financial reward, and takes a long time to see the results of your efforts.”

“Olivier Dauga has been my consultant since the start and he has guided me through this journey. Much like me, Olivier is a maverick character in Bordeaux, and unlike many traditional consultants, he does not have a rigid formula.”

The strong bond forged between Hellyar and Dauga has proved to be a genuine recipe for success and as a result Chateau Civrac has become a star on the wine lists of some of the best restaurants in the country.

Hellyar is quick to credit the vital role his flamboyant consultant plays, in making Chateau Civrac stand out.

“Olivier advises me on all stages of the winemaking, from how we prune the vines to how we vinify.

He always says that a wine should reflect where it comes from and the person who makes it. He allows me to express myself in my wine. He is a rock, but also an outrageous personality. I love him!”

So what exactly is the maverick approach to winemaking employed by Hellyar and his team at Chateau Civrac?

“Our style is a fusion - the handmade quality of the old world, with the fruit and approachability

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of the New World. Chateau Civrac is a 'natural wine' that is made in a very natural and handmade style, with minimal intervention and chemical treatments.

We make the wine by hand and respond to what nature gives us for fruit each year. This ultimately means that the wine has a true sense of where it comes from, it is able to age in the bottle, but is soft, fruity, and drinks younger.”

While the natural approach to winemaking employed

by Chateau Civrac clearly has a big effect in its fabulous richness of flavour, Hellyar believes that there is another even more vital element to the wine’s amazing success.

“Making good wine is all about passion. You have to have it because it’s extremely hard work, has little financial reward and takes a long time to see the results of your efforts. When I’m up all night during vinification, alone and exhausted I think, ‘What am I doing here?’ Then I see someone in a fabulous London restaurant drinking and enjoying my wine.

Then I know.”

And it’s this sense of achievement that Hellyar is now enjoying with consistent regularity as Chateau Civrac enchants the most discerning of palates of some of the world’s greatest chefs. Even Hellyar himself is still left mildly flabbergasted by the incredible response his wine has received and the places it has thus far taken him, as he explains with charming exuberance. ➛

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Main image: Hellyar has transformed the neglected 18th century chateau in Bordeaux into a successful boutique winery. Below inset from left: Barrels in the ancient cellars of Chateau Civrac; the beautiful setting of the Chateau

channel, and offers some insight as to what he thinks they should aspire to.

“There are some good wines being produced in the UK, particularly white and sparkling white. I believe a wine should reflect where it comes from, so a good UK wine should be green and crisp because that’s what the UK is like.”

“It’s a fantastic feeling. I often can’t believe it myself.

Perhaps the most surreal moment was sitting down in La Gavroche with Michel Roux Jr drinking my wine. It’s moments like this that makes all the hard work, stress, sleepless nights and money concerns worthwhile.”

with. I use this to tweak my own winemaking process and style.”

For Hellyar, working with and learning from some of the country’s top chefs and restaurants has been one of the outstanding experiences of his winemaking journey and it has also played an intricate part in Chateau Civrac’s evolution.

So, has working alongside giants of the culinary world had an effect of Hellyar’s own ability in the kitchen?

With a huge smile he asserts confidently: “I think I’m pretty handy in the kitchen. But I like food that is simple and fast to prepare. Coming from Cornwall we are lucky to have some of the best seafood in the country. Fish is surely the ultimate fast food and you do not need fancy sauces. One of the best things in the world is a freshly caught mackerel on the BBQ.”

“I love working with restaurants. My first break was with chef Michael Caines at Gidleigh Park in Devon.

That was, for me, the first in a set of wonderful encounters. I love seeing how my wine works with food, what it works with, and what it doesn’t work

Clearly Hellyar is very proud of his Cornish roots and despite his dedicated involvement in the production of Chateau Civrac in Bordeaux, he remains based in his native Cornwall. Being a UK resident he is keen to highlight the wines being produced this side of the

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However, despite his enthusiasm and support for UK wine production, Hellyar has no intention of entering into the arena himself, or indeed of expanding his existing operation in Bordeaux.

“Chateau Civrac is small and it will remain so.

There is a limited supply and I think it would be a mistake to attempt to expand it and expand production. That’s when quality could be compromised and that’s not something I’d ever want to do.”

However, this isn’t to say that the charismatic Cornishman hasn’t got his eyes set on another vineyard venture elsewhere in France. “If Civrac remains as successful, then I would love to repeat the idea somewhere else. Maybe with a white in Burgundy.”

We’ll certainly drink to that.

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ALGARVE’S HOLE IN ONE Claire Durkin takes a trip to Portugal’s exclusive resort, and golfing haven,Vale do Lobo

rom a distance, the Algarve doesn’t bear much resemblance to the rest of Portugal. For a start, the landscape appears more North African than European. Also, where are the cosmopolitan cities, medieval castles and grand palaces? Rather, it is more recognisable for its luxury apartments, stunning hotels and world-class golf courses, which actually, is the reason why you would want to be here in the first place.

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To get to Vale do Lobo you will land at Faro International Airport, which is just twenty minutes away by car. Despite being the provincial capital of the Algarve, Faro is largely ignored by tourists, who tend to fly in, have their holiday somewhere else, and then fly out again. This is a shame because if you take time to look around, you will discover a wealth of historic and cultural monuments, a picturesque old quarter, and authentic restaurants, cafes and bars. So give it a chance next time and soak it up.

Faro is largely ignored by tourists, which is a shame because if you take time to look around, you will discover a wealth of historic and cultural monuments, a picturesque old quarter, and authentic restaurants, cafes and bars.

I came here in order to visit the famous, and very popular, Vale do Lobo, which is extra special as it was the earliest development of its kind in the Algarve.

Even 48 years later, hats off to it for still being the

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largest luxury resort of its kind. It is also still operated by the same company.

Beautifully positioned on the wilder Atlantic coastline, there is something about the rugged formation of the ochre-coloured cliffs that makes them appear to have been freshly revealed by nature.

Vale do Lobo was founded by Trust House Forte, under the watchful eye of Sir Richard Costain in 1962, but it was not until the resort had established a firm foothold and its five star hotel, Dona Filipa, opened, that Faro International Airport was built.

When construction began in the early sixties, Vale do Lobo was actually an area of mature pine forest, and the main inhabitants were farmers and fishermen.

Instead of removing all traces of the region’s heritage, the designers had the vision to retain many examples of lovely, indigenous architecture, and echoed the original forests with the sympathetic planting of oleander, bougainvillea, lavender and olive trees to complete the picture.

In 1967, a Dutch entrepreneur called Sander van Gelder was holidaying at Vale do Lobo. Wowed by the beauty and character of the setting, and recognising its potential, he bought the resort and set about nurturing it into a truly unique holiday location.

Thirty five years later it is now a stunning 450 hectare enterprise that is famous for being Europe’s finest golf and beach resort, offering countless luxury facilities and services in a breathtaking location.

Catering for sports lovers, relaxing spa breaks, gourmands and sun worshippers, many of the resort’s villas are privately owned, meaning that real estate is a huge concern here. Vale do Lobo delivers a wide

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Main image: The breathtaking Ocean Course at Vale do Lobo.

Inset from left: The Ocean Course heads gently down the shores of the Atlantic; unspolit beaches are just one of the highlights of Vale do Lobo

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Clockwise from top left: The Royal Spa promises to be a revitalising renaissance for mind, body and spirit; the Praca at Vale do Lobo; the resort delivers a wide variety of properties from roomy apartments to luxury villas; The Royal Spa at Vale do Lobo

holidaymakers. After you have thrashed it out on the courts you can take a refreshing dip in the cool, blue pool which is waiting for you round the corner.

You will probably be hungry after all that activity, so help yourself to the selection of varied snacks and meals on offer at the bar and restaurant.

variety of properties, from roomy studio apartments through to truly magnificent, five bedroom detached villas with private pools.

There are different styles of linked villas and apartments ready to be purchased off-plan, from classic design, to cutting-edge modern. Plots for self-style build are still available and come with a guiding hand throughout the whole project, if so desired. By the way, in 2003 Vale do Lobo won the “Best Luxury Development Worldwide,” in Homes Overseas Awards, and the Portuguese Tourism Gold Medal of Merit was awarded to Chairman Sander van Gelder. As the longest established development on the Algarve, resort property values have demonstrated consistent capital appreciation and continue to rise every year.

Indicative property values at Vale do Lobo: Studios from €256,000 Apartments from €693,000 Townhouses from €695,000 Linked villas from €925,000 Plots for custom designed villas from €1,150,000

Vale do Lobo’s main attraction is sport, and it is home to two challenging and beautiful golf courses, the Royal and the Ocean, which have twice been host to the Portuguese Open; a European PGA Tour event.

To get a better idea of the Royal Golf Course, which opened in 1997, try to imagine rolling fairways set amidst pine trees, and lakes flanked by an abundance of wild flowers. Its features include the almost-island green of the 9th, and the world famous 16th, whose iconic cliff-top carryover (where players need to carry the ball more than 200 metres over the spectacular cliffs to reach the green), has become one of the most celebrated golfing images in the world, and has become the veritable symbol of golf in the Algarve.

The Ocean Golf Course features undulating fairways which run alongside a nature reserve, before leading down gently to the shores of the Atlantic.

Its emblematic holes are the challenging and

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spectacular par 4, 11th and 14th, which treat golfers to some of the most breathtaking views in the Algarve.

Then there’s the lovely par 3, 15th which runs parallel to the beach.

While holidaying at Vale do Lobo you will be offered a fifty per cent reduction on green fees, as well as discounts on golf equipment, such as trolleys, buggies and clubs. And for the less confident player, there are golf lessons available to help rid you of your divot tendencies, before you are set free on these fabulous courses.

If tennis is more your style, the fantastic Roger Taylor Tennis Centre, which was completed in 1980, has 14 courts (ten of which are all weather and four synthetic). This is one of the largest tennis facilities in Portugal, (there are also a mini tennis and paddle tennis courts), which attracts national and international tennis fixtures, including an annual ATP Seniors Tour competition: The Vale do Lobo Grand Champions Caixa Geral de Depositos tournament.

The Tennis Academy runs a busy year-round programme of individual and group coaching, tournaments and social events for members and

You are supposed to be relaxing, so you must take a visit to the spa. Wow, no wonder they describe it as Absolute Wellbeing. I strongly advise you to give in and succumb to the power of salt, water and nature, the three essential elements that are the inspiration behind The Royal Spa at Vale do Lobo: “A revitalizing renaissance for mind, body and spirit.”

Integrated in the Vale do Lobo Wellness Centre are several outstanding facilities, including The Royal Spa which offers a diverse range of treatments and holistic therapies, and specialises in many excellent massage types, drawing on old and new techniques and featuring the latest technologies.

So, what else have we? Apart from the activities to keep the active active, and the spa, don’t forget that gorgeous beach, which is meticulously maintained and runs for two kilometres along this lovely coastline.

Then there are the restaurants, 15 in total, ranging from French to Asian. I had a superb dinner at La Place and recommend it highly.

All in all, Vale do Lobo really does offer something for everyone, in a classy setting which includes all the ingredients for a great holiday. Enjoy!

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MasterChef’s Gregg Wallace and John Torode judge competitors of MasterChef Live’s Invention Test, under the watchful eye of compère Andy Peters

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FOOD HEAVEN We uncover the secrets of London Olympia’s upcoming culinary extravaganza, MasterChef Live, and talk exclusively to one of the show’s star judges John Torode.

Words: Fiona Collins or true food lovers, there is surely no better day out than to wander the aisles of one of the country’s leading gastronomic festivals, living, breathing, eating and absorbing all things food.

Wholesome cheeses, handmade chocolates, fresh breads, exotic spices, pickles, chutneys, sauces and marinades...and all that before you start on the wines.

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However, the introduction of the MasterChef element into what was formerly the BBC’s annual Good Food Show, has turned a grown up celebration of culinary excellence into a family-friendly food frenzy.

“I’ve talked to visitors with boys and girls as young as 11 and 12, and the adults have said ‘Oh they made me go, they really wanted to come and see the show,’ which is amazing! If we’re influencing and getting children of that age coming to a really, really fabulous celebration of great food and entertainment, then that’s a much nicer day out that sitting in and playing computer games!”

So says Laura Biggs, Managing Director of BBC Haymarket, the brains behind this year’s event.

Such is the event’s dedication to its young fan base,

that on the Sunday of the three-day extravaganza kids go free, with a special parent and child ‘invention test’ pitting families against each other in the ultimate winner-takes-all cook off.

“Obviously kids love food,” continues Biggs.

“And there are some amazing, amazing delicious foods here. Last year there were more cupcakes than you could throw a stick at – I imagine it will be macaroons this year! And the demonstrations are really interesting, and it’s great fun because of all the live theatres, so as a family it’s a great day out.”

This is not to say that the food lover has been forgotten in the cross-over to the new format, which made its successful debut in 2009; quite the opposite, in fact.

“We have over 250 exhibitors who will come to the show, and more than half of them are speciality producers; tiny little producers of the most fantastic foods. And generally the exhibitors love to have a chat and that’s what they’re there for,” says Biggs.

“That’s one of the great things about the show, that you can meet the people behind the product, which you wouldn’t necessarily be able to do in your local

store. The exhibitors will tell you exactly how they’ve made their cheese for example, how long it’s matured, and where the cow’s come from!

Or the ladies who hand-make the chocolates and tell you exactly what’s in them all.”

One addition to this year’s show, which is most certainly not aimed at the younger audience, is MasterChef Live’s new partnership with The Wine Show, which formerly took place each year in Islington. With tickets now interchangeable between the two events Biggs says that the experience is not just about enjoyment, but education too.

“We’ll have over 150 wines here for people to try, and we’ll have wine talks, and wine walks, and of course a fabulous bar. It’s a great place if you’re looking to get inspiration for how you pair wines with different foods, and it will be very integrated.”

In addition, The Restaurant Experience (“the ultimate celebration of gourmet food”) in which ten of London’s leading restaurants will cook up tester menus for visitors to try – is sponsored by Hardys Wine, who have paired every dish on offer with one of their own tipples.

➛

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Then of course there’s the MasterChef element itself.

“The big feature of the show is the Invention Test,” says Biggs. “It’s basically replicating the first round of the TV programme where contestants have 30 minutes to make a dish from a bag of mystery ingredients. It’s the only place where the public can have a go and do that.”

Promising all the glitz and glamour of the TV show itself, the Invention Tests will run throughout the days (but be sure to pre-reserve your entry), and will be compèred by Andy Peters in front of a live audience.

Former MasterChef contestants such 2010 winner Dhruv Barker will mentor each of the competitors on stage, while TV judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace will be on hand to deal out the prizes.

“Unless you are on a diet, I don’t think you could have a bad day at MasterChef Live!”

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“It’s nerve-wracking I have to say,” says Biggs who admits to giving it a go last year. “But when you get out there it’s great, great fun!”

And if that’s not enough excitement, there is also the MasterChef Demonstration Stage, and the Chef ’s Theatre featuring the likes of James Martin, Rick Stein and Michel Roux Jr. Or you could just sidle up to one of the stars and get some tips all of your own.

I ask Biggs whether the famous culinary names are shielded from the public at the event, “No quite the opposite actually, we have to pull them away to go to their next thing; they’re all very approachable at the show!”

As Biggs says: “If you love food it is the ultimate day out; it is gastronome heaven; it’s a day out of great entertainment. Unless you are on a diet, I don’t think you could have a bad day at MasterChef Live!”

MasterChef Live takes place in the Grand Hall at Olympia in London, on 12-14 November 2010.

For more information visit www.londonbbcgoodfoodshow.com

Above left: A contestant in the Invention Test dishes up for the judges.

Above right: Say cheese! One of the 250 exhibitors on show at MasterChef Live

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW:

JOHN TORODE There’s more to the man than a dislike of scallops on pea puree!

y interview with John Torode is squeezed between an 8am appearance on GMTV, and the beginning of the day’s filming for the final few episodes of Celebrity MasterChef.

Torode is businesslike in his approach, shooting back no-nonsense answers to my questions, and – without prompting - spelling out the names of people and restaurants, which he suspects might trip me up.

“I worked with a guy called John Gench G-E-N-C-H, in a place called Tsindos T-S-I-N-D-O-S,” Torode says, rapid fire, when I ask him of his culinary apprenticeship in his native Australia. Here is a man who has done an interview or two in his time.

His approach is professional, almost blunt, but he has a schedule to stick to and clearly knows what is needed for the interview to succeed.

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Much as he is on MasterChef, today Torode is largely deadpan in his responses, with the odd glimmer of dry humour: “In the late 90s I used to be the resident chef on This Morning on a Friday and Saturday with Richard and Judy, and because I was so attractive they wanted me for television,” he pauses then chuckles, when I ask him how he made the transition from chef to TV personality.

After learning the ropes in Melbourne, Torode did what many young Aussies seem to do and headed north, taking up positions in some of London’s best known restaurants including Quaglino's and Bluebird.

As Torode himself acknowledges, times have changed.

“The fact is, that people in the UK have decided that they actually quite like food, whereas when I first arrived twenty years ago, I don’t think that they really liked it. I think they used to go out for occasions and sit opposite each other, and talk about nothing; those sort of grand dining rooms with silence running through them.”

“Now people go out to eat and to enjoy themselves and have fun, and eating out is no longer just about eating plates of food, it’s about going out with mates and having a good time.”

One thing has remained constant though, and that is

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the role of commercial kitchen. Despite the apparent pressure and chaos of these culinary centres, captured on shows like MasterChef, Torode says that professional cooks are actually immensely focussed and organised.

“In a commercial kitchen you’re a trained cook and you’re part of a team in the same way that a football team will have a winger. In a commercial kitchen

you only do a certain job – you might only cook three dishes, and that’s all you do for three months.”

By contrast, Torode says, the turmoil and stress displayed on MasterChef stems from the fact that cooks are asked to produce multiple dishes across multiple disciplines - without training - in a limited timeframe. ➛

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John Torode and fellow judge Gregg Wallace pose for the cameras in the MasterChef kitchen.

“Masterchef is a competition about watching people grow, about challenging people, and about challenging their perceptions of their own abilities. I think the pressure is absolutely enormous because it’s about self-achievement, self-belief, and about having the guts to put your food up and your personality on a plate and say to Gregg (Wallace) and I, ‘What do you think?’”

I am interested to know whether Torode himself would, as an aspiring young chef, have risen to the challenge of contesting his own show?

“I would probably never answer that question for the simple reason it’s not part of my psyche.” I’m not entirely sure what he means by this, but I think it means no! He elaborates: “I started off washing dishes and mopping floors, and worked my way up to being able to make chocolates, to doing the basics, that’s what I set out to do. I think MasterChef is a very, very different thing altogether. I think MasterChef is about people who already have a love and a passion for food, who want to go and do something new and interesting and something which is really, really exciting.”

But sometimes, as Torode and co-presenter Gregg Wallace’s grimacing reactions contest, they clearly don’t find every dish ‘really, really exciting.’ ‘Are there any dishes which you dread being made on the show?’

Aspiring MasterChefs take note: “The beloved

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chocolate fondant will always be the death knell of somebody. Presently, scallops, pea puree and black pudding seems to be one of those things that everybody loves to do, but actually really doesn’t involve very much. I think the idea of chicken wrapped in ham filled with cheese; that seems to be one of those ones that you think, ‘Oh no, please don’t do that one again’, and when somebody says to me they’re going to be cooking chips, because invariably they don’t have a thermometer, they don’t have the time, and they don’t have the patience, because they actually take quite a long time to do properly.”

My time is nearly up; the next media appointment beckons. ‘One final question, sorry, I know you’ve got to get on.’ “Yeh, right!” Broad Aussie emerges for a second. I ask whether Torode actually enjoys the MasterChef Live experiences; whether he enjoys meeting the show’s adoring public.

“We are very fortunate with MasterChef...we’ve got a great viewing public and we want them to come and meet us. They’ve got to understand we’re real people, but then also with MasterChef Live they have the ability to get involved. They can come and do the Invention Test, they can come and watch demonstrations, they can see other competitors.

But more importantly they can come and be inspired, and they can go and buy the produce from various suppliers and all the equipment that goes with it, and they can go home and replicate it themselves.”

Aside from his TV work, Torode now owns two successful London restaurants, Smiths of Smithfields, and The Luxe in Commercial Street, which, according to one noted critic, ‘sits in a little gastrocluster of aching trendiness.’ A fitting analogy for Torode himself perhaps, for, as he says: “Human nature dictates that we all like to impress each other, we all like to show off a little bit, and you know food is a very, very good way of doing that.”

“Human nature dictates that we all like to impress each other, we all like to show off a little bit, and you know, food is a very, very good way of doing that.”

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W INNING HEARTS AND MINDS Andy Evans talks to Mercury Prize nominated musician Seth Lakeman about Nu Folk and old traditions

f, in the distant future, the BBC decides to bring back the I Love... series, then there is a strong possibility that I Love 2010 will look at the phenomenon of Nu Folk.

This all-encompassing term has come into popular use to describe the wave of acoustic and folk music that has populated the airwaves over the last twelve months, from such artists as Mumford & Sons, Fleet Foxes and Noah and The Whale.

I

But the spearhead of this revival has undoubtedly been Seth Lakeman.

The Devon-born multi-instrumentalist was the first contemporary artist to cross over the folk/pop divide – paving the way for other ‘traditional’ musicians to follow suit. But despite this status, Lakeman still feels a little underwhelmed by the Nu Folk term.

“I think it’s more of a media label that they have to pin on certain acts in order to be able to sell them,” says Lakeman – talking by mobile phone on the way back from Leicester, after a successful gig at the city’s cathedral the previous night.

“But I think that’s the way it’s been incorporated by the record companies and by people who are ‘selling’ you – the marketeers.”

This relaxed attitude towards the perceived media hype is indicative of Lakeman’s pure love of music, which unsurprisingly was the dominant feature of his childhood. At the age of four, he started to learn the violin, before quickly moving onto the banjo and tenor guitar. Before long, Lakeman was performing with his parents and brothers, Sam and Sean, at local fêtes and festivals, and immersing himself in

Seth Lakeman has been at the forefront of the Nu Folk revival for almost a decade, first embarking on a solo career in 2001

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traditional music. But the young Lakeman was already looking to other musical forms for inspiration.

“Obviously, I love folk music and I’ve grown up playing it, really enjoying songs and stories,” he explains. “But when I was playing fiddle everyday in my early teens, I was really into swing jazz – swing gypsy jazz. I was a big fan of Joe Venuti and Stéphane Grappelli. I loved the way they played off each other.

“But also growing up, I got into the dance scene in Plymouth, which was massive, so I was a big fan of house music and other different sounds.”

In between his weekend raving, Lakeman was performing at this time with his siblings as The Lakeman Brothers. The group soon joined forces with Kathryn Roberts and Kate Rusby to form the band Equation – leading to three critically acclaimed albums and successful tours of the UK,

Main and inset: Lakeman began learning the violin aged four and immersed himself in traditional music from an early age

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Europe and the US. But in 2001, Lakeman took a leap of faith and decided to leave Equation to embark on a solo career. It proved to be a successful choice.

Lakeman’s solo work immediately revealed a desire to make folk music with traditional themes, but “a very different sound” reflecting his many different tastes.

This approach is still very much in vogue today.

“I’ve been very much influenced by rock, Americana music, singer/songwriter music – all sorts of different styles,” says Lakeman. “So, there’s no doubt there’s a lot of other influences.”

“I mean, you can hear the house music influence quite clearly when I play Kitty Jay. I have this stomp – this 4/4 stomp – which is quite hypnotic, with the fiddle pattern over the top.”

The aforementioned ‘Kitty Jay’ was the title track of Lakeman’s second solo album, which was nominated

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for the 2005 Mercury Music Prize; not bad for an album that reportedly only cost £300 to make.

Despite losing out to I Am a Bird Now by Antony and the Johnsons, Lakeman’s nomination made waves in the music industry. Support slots with Billy Bragg and Jools Holland, and a sell-out UK tour quickly followed, and folk music was suddenly cool again – with Lakeman at its forefront.

Lakeman’s upsurge in popularity was reflected by his success at the 2007 Radio 2 Folk Awards, where he won ‘Singer of the Year’ and ‘Best Album’ for his 2006 record, Freedom Fields. But it was in the live arena that Lakeman flourished, his outstanding festival performances winning over a host of fans who wouldn’t normally have given traditional music the time of day - something which Lakeman is fully aware of. “To be honest, I don’t think the audiences that we have were really into folk music beforehand – I really don’t,” he says. “Sometimes it’s hard to say because you’re actually doing it, but they’re definitely not the

normal folk audience that I was seeing when I was working with artists like Cara Dillon and Steve Knightley. It’s definitely a different audience, so in that way you don’t upset anyone because you haven’t brought them into the ‘camp’ in the first place.”

So, does Lakeman think his music translates well in an outdoor setting? “It seems to, yeah, because it’s quite energetic, it’s very rhythmical – so to that extent, I think it suits people who have got a drink and want to jump up and down. I mean, we’re not an obvious rock band and to be honest, you don’t have to be familiar with the songs in order to understand it and enjoy it. So in that way, it does seem to suit – it really does. We’re lucky with that.”

Lakeman’s first live DVD certainly seems to suggest as much. Filmed at Cornwall’s open-air Minack Theatre in May 2009, it is a perfect snapshot of Lakeman’s mastery as a live performer. “It was amazing for us – a very magical evening. It was something we’ll all

remember, and we’ve got it there as evidence.

A fabulous performance and a wonderful audience – we had a brilliant night,” says Lakeman. “It’s probably one of the best things we’ve done because obviously we love playing live, and to have an example of that in such an incredible, stunning location is just fabulous.”

But perhaps inevitability, Lakeman’s success hasn’t always gone down well with some folk music purists.

Some critics have accused him of crossing over too much into the mainstream, but Lakeman believes that they’ve missed the point. “I think certainly now, more than ever, artists are experimenting and I guess they’re bridging genres – they’re incorporating lots and lots of different sounds,” he explains. “I think obviously the internet has helped that a lot, and it’s helped new artists, it’s helped these new sounds. I think that people aren’t as blinkered as they used to be.”

This sense of experimentation has informed Lakeman’s latest album, Hearts and Minds. ➛

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Left: Despite his desire to experiment, Lakeman remains a folk musician at heart

“It’s quite heavy. I think it’s a lot edgier and there’s probably more variety of sound than other records that we’ve done.”

After the success of 2008’s Poor Man's Heaven, which reached no. 8 in the UK album charts, Lakeman has continued his quest for a different kind of folk music – leading to a record reminiscent of Robert Plant at his most mystical and REM during their Out Of Time era. “I guess I’ve approached it in a different way this time round,” explains Lakeman.

“I was writing an awful lot of the songs when we were out on the road live, so it’s a very live sounding record – no doubt about it.”

“It’s quite heavy. I think it’s a lot edgier and there’s probably more variety of sound than other records that we’ve done. So we’re really happy with it.

We’re really proud of the final result.”

Despite his desire to experiment, Lakeman remains a folk musician at heart, and the theme of the lyrics on Hearts and Minds remain fuelled by traditional tales of sea-farers and ghostly legends.

“There’s obviously stories of the working man, there’s songs of heartache, there’s soldiers dying abroad. Lyrically I’ve tried to make the approach more universal and bring it up to date, but I’ve resorted back to the narratives that I’ve always loved to write on previous records, especially with songs like Preacher’s Ghost, which I wrote about Billy Bray (the 19th Century Cornish preacher).”

Lakeman can often be found jamming with local musicians at his nearby pub – thus keeping alive one of the founding traditions of folk music. And, when it comes to comparisons, some critics have spotted links

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to Led Zeppelin, Richard Thompson and Damian Rice, but Lakeman is quite clear which association he values the most. “I’m absolutely flattered by every single one, and I’m majorly influenced by all of them.

But Richard Thompson – I’m a massive fan of what he does, because he’s just kept it alive for such a long period in his whole career, within Fairport Convention and into his solo career.”

This desire for longevity is obviously very important to Lakeman, but not many musicians manage to achieve it. However, if he continues to bridge the gap between folk and pop, whilst staying true to his roots, Seth Lakeman should be able to enjoy a long career.

His forthcoming UK tour in late October and November will combine performances in concert halls, with gigs in ‘stood up, sweaty, raucous venues’ – perfectly encapsulating Lakeman’s ethos. It’s about playing authentic, traditional, yet contemporary music – and at the moment, he appears to be hitting all the right notes.

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TAKING TO THE FLOOR Double gymnastics World Champion Beth Tweddle talks of the highs and lows of life in the sporting spotlight.

Words: Fiona Collins or most 25-year-olds, their career is still a newly-fledged, and precious thing. They have stepped out of the cocoon of the graduate recruit - who are excused all but the most extreme of gaffes - and they might just be embarking on their first tentative solo projects; even gaining a degree of authority. Sometimes, when managers are feeling trusting, or jaded, the mid-twenties-employee might even be asked to pitch their ideas on serious, grown-up business matters!

F

Never, however, will a 25-year-old find that they are considered the grandmother of their chosen career; wise beyond their years, seasoned, ripe for retirement. That is, unless their chosen career is that of a gymnast.

At 25, Britain’s reigning Floor World Champion, Beth Tweddle, is one of the oldest competitors still performing at the very highest level on the international circuit. That said, she is by no means the oldest. Germany’s Oksana Chusovitina won a silver medal in the Beijing Olympics in 2008 at the grand old age of 33. However, following a heartbreaking fourth place on her favourite apparatus -the uneven bars - in Beijing, the then-23-year-old

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Tweddle could have been forgiven for throwing in the towel.

“Gymnastics is a sport where you have to specialise from such a young age,” Tweddle says after consideration. “Most gymnasts start from the ages of five or six, and from day one you’re just a gymnast; that’s it. I mean, I’ve been doing it for 18 years now, and I’ve literally just been doing gymnastics, so maybe people would assume that I’ve just had enough and would want to try something else.”

Not so Tweddle. In her typically stoic way, following what must have been a bitter disappointment in Beijing, she cheerfully told the waiting media, "I was pleased just to be in the final.

I am not disappointed with fourth. Now I'll have to leave it to London in 2012 to get a medal.” One can only imagine what she must really have felt.

However, despite her knee-jerk reaction in 2008, that she would continue to compete until her home Olympics at London 2012, there has since been much debate as to an impending retirement.

Never mind Tweddle’s metal fatigue, could her

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Beth Tweddle launches The National Lottery’s Games Brain quiz to celebrate £500 million being raised by players for London 2012. Photographer Mark Bond

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This page: Beth Tweddle launches The National Lottery’s Games Brain quiz to celebrate £500 million being raised by players for London 2012. Photographer Mark Bond Opposite page: In the run up to a major competition, Tweddle trains for up to 35 hours a week; here chalking her hands before taking to the bars

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Olympics 2012: “I’d rather say I tried to go for it, than I’ve retired and not given it a chance.” body really withstand another four years of the gruelling training regime, given that even by 2008 she had already undergone multiple surgeries on her ankles and shoulder?

“Obviously there’s a huge impact on your body,” Tweddle admits. “You’re constantly having to take the force of your own bodyweight plus gravity.”

“That’s why I made the decision to go from four piece, down to two piece,” she continues, referring to her decision to retire from the vault and beam events after Beijing, effectively ruling her out of the all around competition as well.

“Then I went out to the main entrance. There were all these little kids there waiting for autographs, which put it all into perspective. My two little twin cousins came running up to me saying that I was amazing, and that they couldn’t believe that I had fallen...‘we can’t wait to see you on the floor.’ And so I thought ‘Yes, I’ve fallen on bars, but at least I have something to aim for’. Really it was the kids who put things into perspective.”

If Tweddle felt the pressure, as she came out four days later to try and give her fans something to cheer about, by gaining a respectable placing in the

“It was a very hard decision to give up, but I think in the long-run it will be the right decision. My body just wasn’t able to take the constant pounding. I was struggling a lot with the beam. I had a lot of injuries with my feet, and it wasn’t one of my strongest events.

I was also having foot injuries with the vault.”

This meant that at last year’s World Championships in London, Tweddle had just two shouts at a medal; in her favoured uneven bars, and in the floor event.

The stadium reverberated to the screams of an expectant crowd as Tweddle entered the arena for the qualifying event. Here was the British darling of gymnastics, doing what she did best.

“Straight away they (the media) wanted to know how I was feeling. Obviously when you’ve just crashed out of what you were hoping to medal in, it’s not the best feeling in the world,” Tweddle almost smiles at the recollection.

“But my coach said, ‘You’ve got to do the interviews, because you have to take the good with the bad’.

I did it, and spoke to the press, which was hard.

Needless to say, the ecstasy of Tweddle’s ensuing press conference was the antithesis of the one reluctantly given before the flashbulbs four days earlier. Reddin’s insistence that her protégée take the good with the bad had proven to be prophetic.

“Winning the bars (World) title in 2006 was really good, but with this being on home soil and not in my signature event, it is probably my best ever achievement,” a jubilant Tweddle said, post-event.

The stunning victory, and the fairytale nature of the win, helped to further increase Tweddle’s public profile in the UK, and earned her her second nomination for the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year; an award eventually won by footballer Ryan Giggs, with the runner-up spot going to F1 World Champion Jenson Button. It is an ironic aside that Button and Tweddle were both crowned World Champions on the same day, but only the former received a congratulatory phone call from then Prime Minister Gordon Brown; something which Tweddle laughed off at the time saying, "Maybe the letter's got lost in the post?"

The truth is though, that until Tweddle’s rise to prominence, gymnastics was a sport largely ignored in this country, and she - almost single-handedly has propelled it (both in terms of profile, and the funding it receives) to its current standing.

The bars were the first of the two events to take place, and, as a former World Champion on the apparatus in 2006 (this was the first World Championship gold ever won by Britain), Tweddle was the big home hope, not just for a medal, but – when the fans dared to whisper it – maybe for a gold?

A shocked silence descended as Tweddle crashed to the floor, slipping from the bars during a complicated move, ironically named after her as her signature showpiece (the Tweddle). She left the arena in tears, but was forced to compose herself when her coach almost instantly made her face the media.

coach, Amanda Reddin, watching as one, then another of her fellow competitors failed to eclipse her score. Finally, to a standing ovation, Tweddle was confirmed as the new World Champion.

eight-women floor final, she didn’t show it.

She was the first of the girls to take centre-stage, and, after stumbling on her first tumble in the earlier qualifying event, the crowd held their breath as they waited for her to begin.

With a practiced flick of the wrist to acknowledge the judges, Tweddle was off...spinning, tumbling and flipping across the mat. The routine was inch perfect and the crowd, who clapped along to her foot-tapping display, jumped to their feet as Tweddle scored 14.650 for a flawless effort.

What ensued, was forty of the most agonising minutes of Tweddle’s career, as she paced the floor with her

Those behind Tweddle in the team have now begun to follow the path that she has forged, with the men’s team particularly helping to lift some of the pressure from Tweddle’s shoulders. Last year, Daniel Keatings (20) won silver in the all around event at the World Championships, bettering by one position the Olympic bronze won by Louis Smith (21) on the pommel horse in Beijing a year earlier. Despite being Britain’s first Olympic medal in 80 years, the momentum in the current squad means that British Gymnastics have been tasked with bringing home at least two medals in 2012.

Tweddle is obviously enjoying Britain’s newfound success in her sport. “It takes the pressure away from me,” she says, smiling again. “It’s not just what will Beth do, but now it’s a case of what British gymnastics will do at the Worlds or Europeans.”

Someone else who has watched with interest as British gymnastics has emerged from obscurity, is Tweddle’s long-time coach Reddin. “I’ve had the same coach since I was twelve,” Tweddle says with obvious

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Tweddle flies through the air during a practice session in the gym. Photography by Sean Malyon

affection, “and she’s basically like my second mum.”

She pauses. “In fact, she probably knows me better than my mum!”

“Leading up to a major international, I train six days a week, 30 to 35 hours a week, and my life is entirely focussed around training. My life revolves around what time Amanda wants me in the gym, and it can be intense, but from the age of seven I haven’t known any different.”

Tweddle’s current focus is the 2010 World Championships, which kick off in mid-October in Rotterdam, and so the gruelling regime is currently in full flow. But Tweddle is not one to moan, and comes across as a very grounded and matter-offact individual, not given to self pity. Perhaps this is another thing instilled in her by Reddin, of whom Tweddle says: “The only thing that she says to me prior to a major event is ‘Go and do what you do in training, and if it works, it works, but if it doesn’t, then we have to work on it some more when we get back to training.’” One suspects that it is this calm pragmatism that has allowed Tweddle to find the

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mental energy to continue with her sport for so long.

That Tweddle is a model sportswoman is unquestioned – dedicated, hard working, and honest. What still remains a question mark however is her participation at London 2012.

Although nothing is a given in her gruelling sport, and with uncertainty still surrounding her ability to continue competing for another two years, I am surprised that Tweddle takes no time in coming up with an answer: “Yes. The Olympics in London are the main target now. That’s the one thing that I haven’t achieved yet,” she is matter of fact once again.

“Ever since Beijing, it’s been taking one competition at a time and seeing how I go, and really, that’s still the mentality. But the qualifiers start this October (at the World Championships in Rotterdam), so I guess I’m getting towards it now.”

“I think that’s the one thing that I’m still chasing.

I’ve got every other title to my name and obviously I would love to come home with any Olympic medal...naturally gold,” this time she doesn’t laugh.

She pauses, and then adds, “I’d rather say I’d tried to go for it, rather than I’ve retired and not given it a chance. And at least I can look back at my career and what I have achieved knowing that I’ve tried.”

Back in 2006, following her first World title, and in the lead up to Beijing, Tweddle was asked whether she would consider continuing to compete until London 2012. Then, she had laughed and dismissed it out of hand: "I'll simply be too old by then. What I hope is that winning the World Championship will inspire other young gymnasts, and there are some really good ones coming along aged 12 to 14. These are the kids we should be looking at for 2012."

Four years on, with the focus very firmly on London, I’m sure I would have gained a similar response had I asked Tweddle about Rio 2016. But, by then, Tweddle will only be 31...two years younger than Beijing’s silver medallist Chusovitina...so really, as I say, nothing is a given in this gruelling sport!

Colne Stoves OTB Summer:Layout 1

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Bodywash OTB:Layout 1

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Beresford Properties_autumn:BER

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Collins Green

SCHO OL

ROAD, MESSI NG

PART EXCHANGE / ASSISTED MOVE POSSIBLE

Beautiful 4, 5 and 6 bedroom new homes in a stunning countryside setting. â&#x20AC;˘ Situated in an award winning Essex village â&#x20AC;˘ 2 miles* from Kelvedon train station with direct access to London Liverpool Street in 50 minutes** â&#x20AC;˘ 3 miles* from junction 23 of the A12 â&#x20AC;˘ Views over open farmland â&#x20AC;˘ Smart & sophisticated interiors with integrated Smeg appliances

Prices from ÂŁ310,000

01206 764444

Beresford Properties_autumn:BER

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y

Four bedroom detached homes in a sought-after location

Oakley Manor is a small ‘boutique’ development of only three classically styled brick-built homes. Constructed using traditional methods yet with 21st century fuel and environmental efficiency means these detached properties will offer the perfect family home.

The internal and external specification will hold instant appeal. Fully fitted kitchens with granite worksurfaces, natural stone flooring, well appointed bathrooms, en suites to master and bedroom two. With solar panel assisted heating, low energy lighting and many other eco friendly features, ‘going green’ will never have felt so good!

Don’t miss out on these wonderful new homes

Oakley Manor

Prices from £550,000

01245 500555

Beresford Properties_autumn:BER

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TO SO PU LD BL PR IC IO AT R IO N

Brand new detached bungalow located in a sought after road with easy access to the town centre and local amenities. Comprising of a spacious entrance hall, large lounge, separate dining room, luxury fitted kitchen and utility room, three bedrooms, the master bedroom having an en suite shower room/wc.

Price: ÂŁ524,995

01708 222200

Beresfords named best

New Homes Agent at the Estate Agency of the Year Awards.

What the Judging Panel had to say: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The more you learn about this slick and professional company, the more you feel that it is somewhere youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to be involved in. They recognise that dealing with house builders and developers is a hugely different proposition to dealing with â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;traditional vendorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and adjust their proposition accordingly garnering great loyalty from their clients in the process. A low turnover of staff and massive commitment to training ensures the team is highly knowledgeable and expert in their department, reinforcing their position as a dominant force in their region. Beresfords deserve the gold, congratulations!â&#x20AC;?

01245 397497 www.beresfordsgroup.co.uk

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38 mins

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Beresford Properties_autumn:BER

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Great Leighs. Great new homes.

Be sure to check out these exciting new homes in this wonderful Essex village.

Introducing these four 3 and 4 bedroom houses providing exceptional family accommodation throughout. From bespoke designer kitchens, to underfloor heating, from landscaped gardens, to en suite shower rooms and from argon filled upvc windows, to solar heating.

We think you’ll be sold on the idea of life in Great Leighs.

Prices from £275,000

01245 500555 Property pictures are computer generated images

Newmans Gate Hutton Newmans Gate is an exclusive development of just three contemporary style, four bedroom detached family homes offering highly desirable accommodation spread over three levels. Benefiting from attractive courtyards and steps rising to the rear garden with glass and steel balustrading. Located within the heart of Hutton Burses which is convenient for Shenfield Broadway and mainline railway station. Is also within the St Martins School catchment area.

Prices from £815,000

01277 212111

Cream Teaser Ad:Beresfords

5/11/10

14:14

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Beresford Properties_autumn:BER

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Beresfords_Cover section:Beresfords Cover section

8/12/10

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Quality doesn’t have to cost the earth HAND E MADE FURNITUR

Thoroughly Wood are a family run company making traditional handmade bespoke furniture of superior quality in solid timber, using a range of soft and hardwoods. Involving our customers in the whole process, we have a loyal following who are extremely enthusiastic about their experience with Thoroughly Wood.

Whether you are looking for furniture for the kitchen, the bathroom, the dining room or for commercial purposes, we have a wide range of products that are built specific to customers’ needs.

We also provide a professional design service in conjunction with customers’ input and requirements.

Customers are welcome and encouraged to visit our workshop to see how unique furniture pieces are made by our in-house trained craftsmen.

Please call us on 0845 8730265

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www.thoroughlywood.co.uk

0845 8730265

Page 1

S T Y L E

ESSEX HOMES & STYLE

&

11:29

H O M E S

8/12/10

essex

Beresfords_Cover section:Beresfords Cover section

WWW.BERESFORDSGROUP.CO.UK

YO U R G U I D E TO P R O P E R T Y, H O M E , STYLE & LIFE MasterChef Live: Behind the scenes Fashion from Paul Smith Devon’s Mercury Music Prize nominated folk singer/songwriter Seth Lakeman Beth Tweddle: Taking to the floor Interiors: Berkshire’s finest interior design company Alexander James Jaguar’s Le Mans GT2 debut and much more...

winter

2010

10TH EDITION

WINTER 10 TENTH EDITION